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True story. I promise. Today in my fourth period class my kids were silently finishing up a quiz while I was walking around the room. One of my top students, Jerry*, raised his hand and so I walk over to his seat, leaning over to hear his question.
“Mr. Hunsberger, do you know Kelly Duncan?”
“Why, yes! She worked really hard in my class for two years, and achieved some amazing results!”, I replied. Kelly, a former student, currently a 9th grader, had been a fairly average student at first in her 7th grade year, but by the end of her 8th grade year, she had really put all the pieces together and did extremely well. “How do you know Kelly?”, I asked.
“She goes to my church”, Jerry responded, “and she said to say hi.”
“Great! I’m glad you know her. Did she tell you anything about her experience in my class?”, I then prodded, hoping that she would have passed on a great message to Jerry about hard work, asking questions, and striving for nothing short of excellence.
Jerry’s response simultaneously shocked and delighted me: “Yes, Mr. Hunsberger. She said you were a really great teacher and that if the school ever fired you, she’d come and start a riot.”
At least I know I’m loved.