Spread the Love

Today was parent teacher conferences.  I love meeting with parents, but I'll admit that it's a little exhausting to talk for six hours.  But then, teaching is an exhausting job.  I don't get huge bonuses or a big fat paycheck, but I do get benefits.

The best benefits?

Compliments from students. 

Yesterday I had a student drop by my room at lunch.  He's a great kid, but decided to drop out of the Socratic Seminar class I teach to go into regular to improve his grade.  He came up to my desk and said, "Mrs. Thornton, I have to tell you something."

A conversation that starts that way doesn't always end well.

"And what is that?" I asked.

"I wanted you to know that you're a great teacher.  I thought switching out of your class was a good decision at the time, but I wish I'd stayed.  It would have been worth it to sacrifice a higher grade to learn more."

Awwww.... 

Yep, that made my day. 

Take a moment today to thank someone or give them a compliment.  Is there someone who has made an impact on your life you've thanked, or wished you'd thanked?  Did you have a really great teacher in school who inspired you?