"Out of the Blue"

Got this bouquet of flowers (in the form of an e-mail) yesterday from one of my former students. My chest swelled up so big I could have exploded. Oh, what a blessing. Thank you, Jennifer, for remembering me. It is with great pleasure I share these flowers here with everyone who passes this way.

Hello Mr. Wylie:

I was in the middle of a Geometry lesson today with my students and a thought of you popped into my head (scary huh?). Since you were so easy to find on the internet, I decided to take a moment and let you know what a positive impact you had on me and my future. I am almost finished with my Masters in Education and I teach Basic Skills courses including GED Math at Skagit Valley Community College in Washington State. I have been a teacher since 1999, it took me awhile to get my act together. I have come a long way since 1983... It has been an incredible journey. The skills I learned in your classes, Math and Yearbook, have served me well. (some of them include: producing quality work, following the steps, show your work, circle your answer, and more importantly patience when you really want to strangle a student, and giving a second chance to someone who does not deserve it.)

While I originally began as a history teacher, I have evolved into an awesome math teacher. The four years I spent in your classroom laid the foundation for me to be the teacher I am today (thou I never knew it at the time) and I just would like to say "thank you." Now I am blessed with the opportunity to lay the same sort of foundation with my students. I have enjoyed a lot of success with my students and I just wanted to share that with you, because you are a part of it. Anyway, I want to wish you well glad to see you are still taking pictures. Thank you again and sorry too for all the grief I caused you. What a blessing that our paths crossed those many years ago.

Jennifer

Basic Skills Instructor

Skagit Valley College

(Malakoff High 1983)