Just so you know, I shared the draft post and sought M*’s permission to share her correspondence and redacted names as a professional courtesy.
Having arrived at work, the building locked, I checked my personal emails whilst waiting. Below is the email and my reply. Before you read the conversation, I want you to know three things; English is my third subject (after Physical Education and ICT). Cantell School is a special place, with special staff, committed to their pupils, school and community. M* is right. Mrs H* is an amazingly talented, bona fida, A1 English teacher.
Pupils, staff, and parents and carers are in full agreement that Cantell is an exceptional school that they are all extremely proud of.
Ofsted 2024
Why am I sharing this post? Education needs more teachers like Mrs H. Education needs more teachers. Education needs teachers. In truth, for me professionally, the Government has one standout key education responsibility. To retain teachers and ensure that education is an attractive proposition to prospective teachers. That is not to say, ‘we,’ the profession, can not support that endeavour.
Here is one of the very unique and very best aspects of being a teacher.
Thinking about teaching – do
Tuesday morning. Waiting for the building to open. I check my personal email.
Hi,
I hope that this email finds you well?
Apologies in advance if this is a bit weird, but I got your email off of your remembermore website. I don’t know if you remember me or not- (if this is the right person!) you taught me at Cantell in 2019/2020 when I was in year 8.
I was talking to my driving instructor this morning about secondary school and the things I did ect and it prompted me to think of you and our English lessons. More than anything, I guess, I just wanted to say thank you for installing a confidence in me that I don’t think I had in my self at the time: the less than a year you taught me for honestly made a massive impact on the person I am today, and the things I achieved.
At GCSE last year, I went on to achieve a 9 in English Language and a 6 in English Literature, something that 13 year old me definitely wouldn’t have imagined. Mrs H* was amazing of course -and I’m still in contact with her- but I also can’t help but feel that a part of it was down to your faith and encouragement that you installed in me. Now, I’m going into my second year at Peter Symonds (in Winchester) and I’m predicted an A in Drama, an A in epq, a B in history and an A in sociology. I also did a LAMDA public speaking course last year, which I got a distinction in. Post college, I want to do sociology and Social Policy at the university of Birmingham, which I’m very excited for.
Apologies again for the randomness and lowkey stalking to get your email- obviously, no pressure to reply, I just figured I’d send a life update 🙂
-M*
My reply
That is quite an email to receive and one I am very grateful for. Thank you.
Thank you for taking the time to update me. Such wonderful successes and ambition. The credit is all yours.
Social policy – wow. That’s just amazing.
Mr Still
Aka Kristian
Thinking about teaching – do
I am sure you noticed that M* didn’t comment upon my subject knowledge. M* did comment on my abilities as an English teacher.
Everyone can share “faith and encouragement,” in a young person. So if you are thinking about teaching – do.
I thought I had received one of the “best teacher gifts ever” earlier last week… this teaching malarky is emotional.
Shared with Mrs H* and all the staff at Cantell School who contributed to developing M*’s confidence and success.
The image is Birmingham University.