Today has already had a pretty great highlight; I ran into not one, but TWO of my elementary school teachers while having a business lunch.

It was so great to be able to talk with them about school days and what we're all up to these days.





On the left, is Mrs. Whitehead. She was my music teacher in elementary school. Not a subject I excelled at, but she was patient with those of us less musically inclined kids.

On the right, is Mrs. Parker. She was my second grade teacher. She hasn't changed one bit in 30+ years (with the exception of whiter hair). She is now a widow, but is living in the same mammoth 14 room house.

The amazing thing that I find when I run into my old teachers, is their ability to remember who you are when you tell them your name. These women have seen hundreds (if not thousands) of kids come and go from their class over the years during their teaching jobs. Yet, they can remember you not as just another student, but as a person.

It meant a great deal to me to hear Mrs. Parker tell me how proud she was of me after I gave her an update on my personal and professional life as it is now. It warms the heart, and feeds the soul.

I'm friends with my main elementary school teacher on Facebook. She's very nice, and although I call her by her first name online, I still refer to her the way I did when I was a student when I see her in person.

My 10th-12th grade homeroom teacher, on the other hand, I haven't spoken to since I graduated in 2001. I sent her a letter earlier this year after having found her contact info on MyLife, but she never sent a letter back. I think I may have alienated her with comments I made about my high school days in various RetroJunk articles, but I still want to speak to her again, if only so I could tell her what I'm doing now.

Caps 2.0 wrote :
I think I may have alienated her with comments I made about my high school days in various RetroJunk articles, but I still want to speak to her again, if only so I could tell her what I'm doing now.

So you believe she may be aware of the comments in your articles regarding your school days?

Yes. In my articles, I often mention specific places, whether they're schools or vacation areas. Of course, I could be wrong about why she hasn't responded, and it might be she just doesn't remember me.

I've had some good teachers, and I always think about seeing them again. I remember seeing my 8th grade homeroom teacher several years back while I was at Wal-Mart. She has a good heart and she seemed to enjoy having me for a student. The best to gain respect from a teacher is to respect them back. It works both ways.

I used to be friends with my 11th grade English teacher. I actually met her at after school tutoring when I was in 9th grade. She helped with English, but I was there for math. I used to share my writing with her.

We used to write to each other (snail mail). I have all the correspondence she sent me. I really treasure it. She used to support all my big dreams and ideas.

Sadly she died in 2005.