A Letter to my Future Students

As fantastic as summer has been, it's time to get real: School is starting just around the corner. Many of you may have started back already (God bless you), and the rest of us will be starting Monday. Right around this time I always start to think about the students that will walk into my classroom on the first day of school and I wonder what they will be like. I like to imagine that those same students are also wondering about what their teachers will be like. What would I tell them if I had the chance to talk to them before the year even begins? To practice their multiplication? To buy extra pencils since most of their will be lost within two weeks? Those are practical pieces of advise, sure. But I'd like to let those kids know a lot more. Having said that, here is an open letter to my future students:

Dear Little Minions,

Hello there! My name is Mrs. Murphy and I will be your math teacher this year in 4th grade. I'm sure some of you remember me from the days I had lunch duty with you last year. Yes, I spent those days wondering which of you would be in my class this year, and now we know! There are a few things you need to know as we begin this year. There are so many things I wish I could tell you... I wish I could tell you that every day will be fun in my class. I wish I could tell you that you will use every bit of math I teach you when you are an adult. I wish I could tell you that I will be kind and loving and patient every day. But I can't tell you those things. I can't tell you those things because they are not true.

You see, little ones, I want to be perfectly honest with you from the very beginning: I know there will be days that are hard. There will be days when you wonder "When will I ever need to use this?" In fact, on those days I'm probably wondering the same thing. I'll tell you the truth right now: the only time I ever use a protractor is when I teach you to use a protractor. That's just the way it goes sometimes, but I still have to teach you. Sometimes I will teach you things that are two or three years ahead of where your little brains are developmentally, and I promise that those days frustrate me as much as they frustrate you. And, yes, I hate standardized testing too. It's true! In fact, all of your teachers do. So, you see, we aren't that different, are we? Let's agree with one another right now that we won't let those frustrating moments overcome us, but that we will walk through them together. That's what I'm here for, after all.

I want to make sure all of you know the reason I teach. No, it's not because math facts are my passion. I became a teacher because I know that most of you have been forced to grow up long before you were ready, and I want my classroom to be a place where you can be a kid again. I don't know if you feel loved wherever you are now, but I teach so that when you are in my room you know that there is at least one person who thinks the world of you. When I see you, I see someone who was created on purpose and with a purpose. My hope is that we can discover what your purpose is together. I know that your world is unfair. I know that your world can be harsh. Little ones, your hands are too small to carry those burdens alone. Let me help you carry them. That is why I'm here.

Those are the reasons that I teach, but I need to admit to you that I don't always remember that. I need you to help me remember. On the days when I seem stressed, it's not because of you. It's because my job depends on how much you know rather than how well I know you, and that upsets me. But you, little ones, can help me remember the real reason I'm here. You can help me remember that I didn't become a teacher to get great test scores. Will you remind me on the days I forget? Remind me by giving me a hug when you see me. Remind me by showing me how excited you are about your new shoes. Remind me by telling me the real reason you didn't do your homework is because you were visiting dad in prison yesterday. Remind me by telling me the days you didn't eat any breakfast or dinner the night before. Remind me that the reason I'm here is because of who you are, not because of what I can make you do. I'll do my best to remember, but I need you as much as you need me.

I'm looking forward to our year together! I already love each one of you, and I can't wait to see all your new school supplies on the first day. Will this year be easy? Not always. But I guarantee it will be memorable. Let's walk together as we remind each other of our purpose, and 4th grade will be a year that I promise you will never forget. Welcome to my class!

With all my heart,
Mrs. Murphy