Mrs. Cheney was my 4th grade teacher. She was a plump, jolly lady with bushy brown hair and rosy cheeks. From the first day of school, I knew I'd love her. She exuded her love of learning to us every single day and made every subject, every lesson an invitation to learn and to better ourselves. I've often heard that some teachers become teachers because they love drama--as in acting on the stage drama (although you get plenty of the other kind of drama from the kids, believe me). Well I think that's, at least in part, one reason Mrs. Cheney became a teacher. She was exuberant and expressive, especially when reading books aloud! My favorite was
A Wrinkle in Time. We fell in love with Meg, Calvin, and Charles Wallace and rooted for their success. Aunt Beast was . . . interesting, but so tender and loving in this strange, new world. Books like these transported us to new adventures just like the tesseract did for Meg. I felt comfortable exploring my imagination and creativity in her class. I have seen Mrs. Cheney a few times since being a 4th grader, although it has been several years, each time she mentions the heart doily with dried flowers that I hand-crafted and hot-glued for her that "matched perfectly with the colors in her bathroom." I loved her. I loved her class.
Next year, I will be going back into the 4th grade. I only hope that my 4th graders next year receive a portion of the knowledge and love of learning that Mrs. Cheney bestowed upon me. I will be sad to leave my little 2nd graders with their bright eyes and thirst for knowledge, but I can't wait to start learning right alongside these 4th graders and to rediscover my 4th grade self.
Here's a tender gift I received for Teacher Appreciation week, complete with words that describe me according to my students. Love those little tots!
