Skip to main content

Goodwill Cards


Usually 4th block Math class is filled with chatter. On Tuesday, all was quiet. I peeked in at my students from last block wondering what was going on. They were all sitting quietly reading their Goodwill Cards.

My first year teaching I began a tradition that has continued ever since. They began as Christmas Compliments, an assignment where students wrote a positive comment or compliment to each of their classmates. The day they left for Christmas break, I gave each student their envelope with cards from their classmates and me. It has been 17 years and the tradition continues, albeit, a new name to include students of all religions.

Goodwill Cards are a warm fuzzy around Christmas time, but later on in the year, they are what keep me going some days. I know the same is true with students as well. One student read his card from Mr. Wilson. The student immediately sat down and wrote another card full of more feeling to Mr. Wilson. After school was out, I received a text from a student stating, “You were right, Mrs. Victor. My classmates really do think a lot of me. I just read my Goodwill Cards.”  I have heard from students years later who tell me they still have their cards.

It has been five days since I first opened my envelope and read my cards. As I read them again, I am struck by how one small action can make such a big difference in the life of an adolescent. It revolves around kindness. Over and over the cards students wrote to me had to do with how nice I was and the fact that I didn’t yell at them. There were others that were more personal and specific. It is these that I will publish here in my blog – easy access on those difficult days. Of course, the envelope will be kept at home in a place easy to access.

GOODWILL CARDS 2010 (A Sampling)

“Thanks for seeing the good in me even when others didn’t. Thanks for believing in me.” ~ 8th grade student, not one of mine

“I love how you’re always here for me to talk to. You know and love me for me and you give me the best advice! You’re like my second mom!!! J I’m so happy we got this close! You’ve made a HUGE impact on my life and I promise that will never change. I love you so much <3.” ~ 8th grade student

“You are not like other teachers. You are cool. You didn’t give up on me when others would have. You are like one of the only people I trust.” ~ 7th grade student

“The best teacher in the whole school. Got a kind heard and don’t mind doing anything for anybody.” ~ 8th Grade student

“You are a good teacher and I wish I could stay in your class all day.” ~ 7th grade student

“There are no words to explain you. I just love you. You are awesome and the funniest teacher here. Hands down. Love you Ms. Victor and thank you for always having my back.” ~ 8th grade student

“You are the cool teacher. You should follow us to 9th grade.” ~ 8th grade student

“You are my favorite teacher this year. You actually make me like school. You are the best teacher ever.” ~ 7th grade student

“You are always good to me and always helping people. My mom likes you too. I think you are a good coach and friend.” ~ 7th grade student

“Thank you for the way that you always love and care for me and the class” ~ 8th grade student
  

Comments

  1. James ADecember 27, 2010 at 12:06 PM

    Ms Victor, Do I get to meet your students? They have a lot of heart and have learned to share them. Still very proud of you! Dad

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Aging sucks.....or does it?

Upon first thought, watching a parent age sucks. Unnoticeable at first. A bit of a stoop, some creaking in the knees, whitening of the hair. The doctor’s visits begin, as do the pills One for high blood pressure, another to thin the blood, and a handful of vitamins to top it off. The signs are there, but it is easier to see him as he has always been. My father, a pillar of strength. Until my pillar was knocked off-kilter. A simple surgery and the mortality of my father looked me square in the eye when the drugs took hold of his brain. Amidst his fidgeting and confusion, I realized…AGING SUCKS! And then….enlightenment dawned upon me….AGING IS BEAUTIFUL Wrinkles tell of smiles while silver hair speaks a life of memories. Knees creaky after years of kneeling in prayer, offering up a lap, and climbing up the stairs for one more kiss goodnight. Almost forty-eight years of memories nestled in my heart. Memories of my father. Taking us to church each Sunday Building and fixing ...
2 comments
Read more

The Challenge of Five

Living alone is easy. Add one more person to the equation and it becomes a bit more challenging – especially when that person is a 13 year old. But in time, we figured it out. Somewhere in there, Beatrice joined us. With Thanksgiving came the joy of the five of us together for the week. And then reality set in as Tony and Sana began their trek back to New Hampshire. Our household of two was now a household of three as Sean made himself a home with us.   For the first five years of Sean’s life it was just he and I. How difficult could it be to have my 22-year-old son living with me again? A mother couldn’t ask for a better son. He is loving, kind, intelligent, and hard-working. He has grown into a fine young man who has lived on his own for the past three years. He has his own way of doing things.   I have my way of doing things. Needless to say, the two clash a bit. I tend to go with the flow and do things (supper, adventures, etc) as the mood strikes. He likes to plan eve...
2 comments
Read more

I Got the Call!

I began the day a bit down in the dumps. (As is very evident from the earlier blog entry of the day.) I was missing my family. Wondering about the risk we took. Uncertain how it would all work out. My brother, Jamie, insisted that Patti and I join his family for a Braves game. He bought us $1 tickets and told us to get to Turner Field. The great thing about Atlanta Braves games on a hot Sunday afternoon is that the turn-out is not very good. We followed Jamie toward his seats on the third base line and sat in a couple of empty ones about 20 rows back. By the end of the game, I was in the first row! Apparently it was too hot for many of the fans. The Braves trounced the Dodgers, 13-1. (Newly added to my bucket list: get to as many of the major league baseball parks as possible. I have been to three this summer alone!) Upon returning ‘home’ I decided to check out the possibility of more jobs. Curiosity led me to Manchester’s website. (Manchester is about 30 minutes away from whe...
3 comments
Read more