The Teacher

Charter 2

Carson first grade teacher wrote,
"Carson is a bright child with a ready laugh.
He does his work neatly and has good
manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote,
"Carson is an excellent student,
well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled
because his mother has a terminal illness and life
at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote,
"His mother's death has been hard on him.
He tries to do his best but his father doesn't
show much interest and his home life will soon affect
him if some steps aren't taken."

Carson fourth grade teacher wrote,
"Carson is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school.
He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Griffen realized the problem and she was
ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students
brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons
and bright paper, except for Carson His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy,
brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Griffen took pains to open it in the middle
of the other presents. Some of the children started to
laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the
stones missing and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
She stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed
how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some
of the perfume on her wrist.

Carson stayed after school that day just long
enough to say, "Mrs. Griffen today you
smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching
reading, and writing, and arithmetic.
Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Griffen paid particular attention to Carson .
As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive.
The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year, Carson had become one of the smartest
children in the the class and, despite her lie that she would love
all the children same, Carson  became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Carson ,
telling her that she was still the best teacher he
ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Carson
He then wrote that he had finished high school,
second in his class, and she was still the best teacher
he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while
things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school,
had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college
with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Griffen that she was
still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.