"Dr. Schmier,
I know this is not required, but I just wanted to write and let
you know some things. I was sitting at my kitchen table Thursday night,
thinking about closure in your class earlier. I knew your class had an
affect on me, but I didn't realize how much of one until we got into the
class. As a new student who hasn't worked or been to school in a long
while until I stepped into your room, I never believed for a second at the
beginning that I would be able to complete it. I believe it was a real
blessing. Thanks to you, not only did I complete it, I overcame a lot of
my fears. I was so shy and scared of social situations, and your class
was just what I needed to open me up some. I will always remember the
first time and the many times after that when you could tell I was on the
verge of panic. I never understood how you knew. It was like you had
some radar, but I will always remember that you came over again and again
to ease my nerves. No else even cared in my family or at this school, but
you did. That is really special to me because you didn't have to. And
you didn't have to listen when I told you about......... I remember so
vividly when you asked how I was I being a model for my children. Boy,
did that hit home. It really went deep. Maybe that was when I began to
struggle to see what you were seeing."
"Your faith and belief and hope teaches by itself. I see that the
essence of education is in your teaching. I had caged my hope a long time
ago and had forgotten it even existed. It was painful to live that way;
it was even more painful to try not to live that way. You made me realize
that I had to breat the pattern for my sake and my children's. I felt
myself becoming alive as with your help as I came face to face with my
possibilities. I have learned to be proud of myself and to never
underestimate myself. I am so glad that I took this class when I did. I
believe that your words and teachings have motivated me and given me the
confidence to make it through school. I will take so much more with me
from this course than just a history lesson. You are a true inspiration
to me. I just wanted you to know that I am truly grateful for helping
this cowardly lion find her heart of courage that I now see, like the
lion, was always there. That loveable cowardly lion is going to be with me
all the time. THANK YOU!!!! I can't tell you how much I appreciate being
treated like a human being. Thank you for seeing my humanity."
"P.S. You will be seeing me. I'm going to take you up on that
offer to be there to listen whenever I have to talk with someone."
That phrase, "seeing my humanity," sums up what our educational
sight should be. I recently told an e-mail friend that if we miss the
sancity and dignity and humanity of each student, we've failed. If we try
to straightjacket each person in the classroom with a single, confining,
unhuman image or truth, we've failed. We should create an environment
where any student finds possibilities in his or her self, where he or she
becomes aware with those unique potentials. We should help soften the
moment for each student. We should see every moment as a chance to get
in, to catch it, and to change it. If we do whatever it takes to do that,
we have done whatever it took for them and for ourselves. Whatever Claire
now discovers is hers and as she stays the course she slowly will learn
just how wonderously new she and her surroundings have become, can become,
and will become.
I've often wondered but never asked .What is the subject matter of the class that you discuss in your thought-provoking random thoughts?
Riki Koenigsberg
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