The Power of a Teacher

I received a card in the mail today. It is from my fifth grade school teacher, Judd Mills. He was an incredible teacher. He inspired learning, good will, and civic/community responsibility. He had a way of letting each student know they were loved and appreciated for who they were.

When I was in my first year of college and thinking I wanted to be an elementary school teacher I shadowed him for a day. Afterwards, sensing that I was in elementary education for the wrong reasons, he talked me out of that major.

When Phil and I got married, one of my favorite gifts came from Mr. Mills. He sent me an essay (complete with photos) that I had written in his class. It was about my life and what I hoped for my life. He had kept it all those years. I can only assume he kept every student's essay and sent them at momentous times like graduations and marriages. That is the kind of teacher and man he is. He has remained invested in the lives of countless students all these years later.

I want to share what he wrote in the card I received today.

I wanted to let you know how happy I was to receive your Christmas greeting. We always post the Christmas pictures on the wall by the fireplace, and the smiles being shown by you and Eden light up the entire room. It is a smile that I remember from West [my grade school], and I am so glad that the two of you are able and willing to share your joy with others.


I know that the two of you and your entire family have faced some difficult challenges in recent years, and I am always comforted by the knowledge that your faith in God and the love of your family and friends will see you through the rougher spots in life. 


I think that as we put away the decorations of Christmas, I will hold your card back; it may be held to the door of our refrigerator with a fancy magnet, or it may become the bookmark for my current reading material. Happiness at a glance–what a gift! love, Judd


The gift here is a loving, caring, wonderful teacher (from over thirty years ago) still instilling courage and hope in his student. Thanks Mr. Mills!