Question for the Teachers on the List

[Jo]

> My question is how would(do) you, as a teacher, react if a former 
> student e-mails you to say "hello" and to give you a brief update
of 
> what that student grew up to be? Would you consider it an invasion 
of 
> privacy or a pleasant surprize? 
> 
> Don't worry, if I definitely write this person, I will include a 
> blurb like "My name is __________. I was your student at Apple
Grove 
> Junior High School during ________ years."
> 
> Milz

As a teacher with 22 years experience, I can tell you that there is 
nothing more flattering to a teacher than a former student who wants 
to tell her/him that she/he made an impact on their life.  
Occasionally Oprah Winfrey does a show reuniting former teachers and 
students.  It always causes a Kleenex shortage around the nation.  

The blurb you mention is an excellent idea.  Just your name may be
all 
that is needed, however, when a teacher has had hundreds of students, 
a quick reminder about your connection can help sort your name from 
all of the others.  

Now that you mention it, there are several teachers from my early 
years I would like to contact and let know how much they were 
appreciated.  We can't be told too often.

Jo Crabtree (aka Professor Phlash)