Being a Public Servant

In July of 1961, a young father wrote a letter of thanks that appeared in the local newspaper.  It was from a Dad who wanted to express his thanks to the public servants who saved his three-year-old son a few nights earlier.  It read as such:

“On July 8, 1961, at 2:00 a.m., my son went into convulsions.  I placed a call to the operator,

who then called the police, who, in turn, radioed the fire department, who sounded the

alarm.  About seven minutes later, there were about 20 firemen at the door with an

inhalator for my son.  Thanks to the speed of these men, my son is okay.  I have seen these

men in action before and they are wonderful.  The people in this town surely can feel safe

with these men on the job.  I wish to thank you for what you did for my son.”

While teachers may not fit the Wikipedia description of a public servant, we are paid by the taxpayers to do a public service – educate kids.   Next week is “Teacher Appreciation Week.”  While we will feed you well next week (see below), I want to kick this off with a note of thanks.  Thanks for your preparation.  Thanks for your diligence.  Thanks for coming in early to help kids with their work.  Thanks for staying after school to help kids with their work.  Thanks for taking part in “Talent Tuesday”.  Thanks for creating some carrots for kids to run after on ISTEP.  Thanks for teaching diagnostically.  Thanks for making our unique programs work.  Thanks for being humble when they do work.  Thanks for reading these notes and acting on them.  Thanks for forming great relationships with kids. Thanks for giving them that pat on the back.  Thanks for giving them that kick start.  Thanks for supporting each other.  Thanks for communicating with parents.  This list of thanks could go on for a long time. Thanks for what you do for the children of someone else.  In sum, thanks for making a difference.  Oh, by the way, the author of this newspaper article?  That would be my Dad.