The Heartfelt Gratitude: A Teacher's Perspective on Receiving Cards from Students

Teaching is often celebrated for its joys and rewards. For many educators, receiving cards and small tokens of appreciation from students can be deeply moving and inspiring. As a swimming teacher who primarily works with young children, I encounter a unique challenge: having few students and receiving even fewer cards. However, when I do receive cards, they hold a special place in my heart.

From Kids to Adults

My experience in teaching swimming lessons in Arizona has been quite different from what I encountered in South Carolina. In South Carolina, where swimming was not always a common recreational activity, it was unusual to find an adult who couldn't swim. Yet, these adults often gifted me with cards and small gifts of gratitude, which always warmed my heart. In Arizona, while I still have many young children as students, I often receive cards from my adult learners, who usually surprised me with gift cards to the local grocery store as a token of thanks. For these students, such gestures often came with a meaningful message and a personal touch, making each card a precious memory.

A Special Moment

One particularly touching moment came during a class session with Mytutorhub when a student showed a handmade card he had created during the lesson. The sheer weight of his heartfelt gesture made the session all the more special. It's these moments that remind me why teaching is such a rewarding career.

The Annual Tradition

Every year, during the last few days of school, I eagerly anticipate the influx of cards and gifts from my students. Typically, I receive about 50-80 cards from my students at the end of the Christmas break and another 30-50 around the summer vacation. The cards often contain thoughtful notes and gift cards, which I genuinely appreciate. These gift cards are not a form of bribery but a gesture of kindness and gratitude from my students.

Preserve with Purpose

In the past, I used to keep every card and note from my students. However, over the years, I've grown more selective about what I keep. I now keep only the cards and notes that provide valuable memories and meaningful connections. I keep a drawer in my desk where I store all of these keepsakes, and after the last day of school, I go through them, ensuring that only the most memorable ones remain.

One particularly significant moment was when our basement flooded, taking with it a bin full of student cards from my early years of teaching. This event taught me the importance of cleaning up and not clinging to unnecessary items. Instead, I now focus on keeping things that hold significant memories, particularly those related to my family. Cards from students, especially from my younger years, are no longer necessary to keep since I already have the memories of these special moments.

Conclusion: The Value of Gratitude

The cards I receive from my students are not just pieces of paper but tangible expressions of gratitude. They remind me of the joy and importance of teaching, and the lasting impact that a simple act of kindness can have. Whether from a young child or an adult learner, each card is a precious gift that I treasure, not just for the sentiment, but for the memory it creates.

As a teacher, the cards I receive serve as a beautiful reminder that the value of education extends far beyond the classroom walls. They represent the connection between a student and their teacher, a bond formed through the shared experience of learning and growth.