Dear Mr P.,
Last year, you took a young teacher, new to your school, under your care. He was shell-shocked and disorientated after being unexpectedly appointed to his first teaching position at 9AM on the first day of school.
Yes, as you know, that teacher was me.
To this day, I still don’t fully understand what you saw in me. Yet, you did your best to ensure I was treated fairly, and had the unshakable belief that I was capable of doing great things with ICT. I felt, for the first time, that someone believed in my abilities, and I sincerely appreciated your support and guidance through the tough times.
Later, just when I was preparing to leave, you asked me to take on Room 13. All I wanted to do was leave my memories behind; yet, with your encouragement, I took on that challenge, and I am truly glad I did.
In those four weeks, I proved to myself that I could teach. I felt like a teacher.
I am not sure how much you know about the Global Classroom project I did with those students, but it marked the very first time I collaborated with teachers around the world. I was learning how to flatten my classroom walls, and exploring ways to enable my students to connect, share, and learn with kids around the world.
And this was just the beginning …
Mr P., my teaching experience in Room 13 changed the course of my career.
After my departure, I went on to co-found and coordinate the development of The Global Classroom Project: 2011-12.
I know you believed I was good with ICT, but I had no idea that I would lead the creation of a global online learning community, which now connects hundreds of teachers and thousands of students around the world.
Yet, with all that happened last year, I was never able to properly thank you for everything you did for me.
Out of the trauma and painful decisions which defined the start of my 2011 school year came new friendships, wonderful opportunities, and the realization that I could use my ICT skills to create, and do something special. I rediscovered my love of teaching, and found my educational niche.
I’m not sure if we will meet again, so I’d like to take this opportunity to say something I wanted to say a long time ago …
“Thank-you Mr P. You made a real difference in the life and career of a young educator.”
Dear Mr G,
Thank goodness for Mr P or we, your online community and PLN, would have missed out on an outstanding, innovative teacher sharing his excellence with the rest of us! We too, would like to thank Mr P and we hope and pray that he is still sharing his wonderful kindnesses to other beginning teachers like you. Thank goodness the world has Mr P’s and Mr G’s in it!
Love from your online ever-thankful peeps x
Kimberley, I was quite overwhelmed by your kind comment ..
I agree that Mr P. has a lot to answer for :), and I’m extraordinarily grateful for his help through some very difficult times
What a well-written tribute, Michael. I hope Mr P reads this!
I am so happy to be part of your global network. Well done on an amazing achievement. As I have told you before – you are going places! Watch this space… 🙂
Thanks Karen! I too hope that this post gives Mr P. something to smile about 🙂
Michael~
It is truly amazing how well everything lined up at just the right time! I believe this was fate. So grateful to have meet you online and to work collaboratively with you on the Global Classroom! This has changed my career as well. To think last year I didn’t even know what a wiki was and I had just enter the world of twitter and blogging! So grateful!!!
My Mr. P is a Mrs. M who encouraged me to follow her down a (dark, tee hee) addictive path of technology in professional development and the classroom.
God Bless the Mr. P’s and the Mrs. M’s of the world!
Hi Deb. I too think it was fate that things worked out the way they did. I’m looking forward to hearing a little more about Mrs M. now!