Gettin' OUT

I went to see this amazing performer, Curtis Eller, last night down at the Galaxy Hut. He's an old high-school classmate of one of my friends. It had to be one of the most unique shows I have ever before seen. Check out the clip; beware of strong language. He is a real hoot.

So this means that The Queen got out of her Queen-dome for the night. YESSSSSSS

And write this down, ladies and gentlemen: I did not arrive back at the Queen-dome until

*gasp*

midnight.

For me, up every morning at 5:00 a.m. with children usually about to pounce upon me sooner rather than later, I don't usually live to see many clocks chime 9:30 or even 9 p.m.

But I made it last night.

And may I say:

it felt sooooooooo gooooooooooood

Being a beer bar, I figured there would be nothing for me (no wheat=no malt=no beer). But I lucked out as they did have wine...albeit yellowtail, they at least had cab so I didn't have to try to swallow a shiraz.

It was crowded but, as we were friends of the artist, we didn't feel too uncomfortable standing right up front with him. Chatting with my friend while her husband was talking with Curtis, I suddenly felt eyes on me...

hmmm....

I obviously haven't been out in a very, very looooooong time.

A face came out of the crowd. It was an ex-student of mine from my Uni teaching days. She said, "I can't believe it. I just told my friend, 'That's my Spanish prof!'" Obviously not anymore; in fact, she was in my class back in 2005 so it has been a few years. But I remembered her and she obviously remembered me.

This brings me to something else I read today, a postcard on PostSecret and an emailed response. The postcard reads:

"A few years ago my husband celebrated his 25th year of teaching. After touching the lives of hundreds of students not ONE RSVP'd to his surprise party. We had to cancel. He never knew it. He loves his job. I hate it."

The ensuing response:

"I always think about writing a thank you letter, or just dropping by to say hello to some of my former teachers. I've never done it because I've been afraid they won't remember me. And really? That would be crushing; finding out that I was forgotten while they were not.

"But maybe just saying it would be enough, even if they don't remember. Thank you for reminding me of that. And a heartfelt thank you to your husband for all his dedication -- you can't imagine how much it really means to me. I probably wouldn't be here if not for people like him. I'll be starting those letters today.

Sincerely,
Michelle"

Names do come and go. I have been teaching for over 15 years and never forget a face, not even a Japanese face, although ask me to remember a name and I would have to be reminded. When one has taught and interacted with so many students, in so many historical contexts over such an extended period, the names might be forgotten but the student is not. And it is not only the overachievers that are remembered; that is a common misconception.

When my father died, his funeral was attended by students of his last class of 1998, and his first class of 1967. My mother received various condolence letters from students, most of whom expressed gratitude for the motivation and example he set for them, one that made them want to become teachers (and some, even, math teachers just like him) themselves.

I am that kind of a teacher, too. I have always cared, perhaps too much, about my students and their lives. What is learned in a classroom is only valid if you are going to use it in the outside world. Use what you know from outside the classroom to help you get the stuff with which I'm trying to expand your world within the classroom. Get beyond the exams and live your life. But don't just live. LIVE! Enjoy! Laugh, cry, embrace, love, feel, do, act, react and be! Bring your experiences to class and, as long as you try to do it in español, tell us all about it!

Maybe that's why my ex-students still call me out of the blue for recommendations. They know I'll remember them.

Maybe that's why my ex-students embrace me when they see me, even years later, or contact me out of the blue after having "found" me on the Internet. They know I will remember them and they are secure.

They have absolutely no idea what good it does me, to have them recognize me, embrace me, talk to me, remember me, recall some random event that occurred or something that I said that actually stuck. That they are using in their lives today--perhaps a mantra, as in my favorite "may you live all the days of your life"...and that particular student got a D in my course, I remember...

The magic lies in the minute details, doesn't it? A simple "Hello" or a hug. Instant validation of having done right, of having done good, of having made a difference and to at least be remembered.

I am smiling today.