All in a day, I bumped into 'bookends', parents of a student in my first class forty years ago, and parents of a child this past year.
Michelle was one of my first students. The local newspaper came to take photos when the new school opened. 1984.
There I am along with Michelle on the far right of the photo.
She never really left. As the years went by she became my Summer Camp assistant counselor (we had so much fun), and we even accidentally wore the same clothing.
Michelle visited on occasion to read or do science experiments with the children. She was always a terrific guest.
School closed for a few years while we (finally) did the big rebuild that we desperately needed. Fortunately we were able to move into a great space in our local prep school, almost across the street. By that time, Michelle had been a teacher at the school for many years. On occasion she would walk to our playground area on the campus to say hello. Here is the conversation I will never forget:
Hi Michelle! How is teaching going?
Great. I'm a Director.
Wait, you're not old enough to be a Director.
Jennie, I'm 40.
After my shock we laughed. Well, we laughed our heads off.
My other 'bookend' parent belongs to Wren, who had a wonderful year in my classroom. She was the reader, the Gloria lover, the friend to everyone, 'sharp as a tack' and 'bright as a star'.
We even sang together on YouTube.
Wren's dad was so excited to see me and share a photo of Wren with 'the' magazine.
We talked and talked, remembering the past year. One day I will hopefully have decades of memories with Wren, as I have with Michelle.
Jennie
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