Your Last Letter

Next to the mural of Col. John Wheeler is a painting of the last letter that The Colonel wrote.  The date of the letter is July 2, 1863 and this letter, addressed to his wife and children, was written in a tent just outside of Gettysburgh at 4:00 a.m.  Take a moment to read this letter today.  It will move you.  If it does not, I suggest that you check your pulse.  The letter details how difficult the battle in Pennsylvania will be and the struggles that will occur based on early reconnisance. There are two lines that have been highlighted by the artist, Marion Kellum, that will tug at your heart strings.  The Colonel writes:  “It may be the last letter to you. If so, believe that my last prayer for you is that God may help you all.”  Col. John Wheeler, the namesake of our school, was killed that very day on the battlefield.  The uniform that he wore that day is displayed in our display case.  His words were prophetic. 

Here’s my question for you to ponder – if this was going to be your last day, would it change the way you did things or, for that matter, what you did?  I don’t mean your last day on earth.  I mean your last day of teaching.  Think about that.  What would your last day look like?  Over time, you hear people talk that on their last day, they will show up in flip flops and beach wear and tell their boss to plant one on their gluteus and then show them exactly where that is located.  If you have those thoughts, let me say no thanks.  But, as you look at those faces in your classroom, what would be your parting words?  Would you spend the day teaching the most essential things about your subject area?  Would you prioritize just what was most important?  Would you put together a plan that would have a lasting effect?  Would you bring your absolute A-Game?  Would you teach like your hair was on fire?  Would you firmly implant that student-teacher relationship?  Would you create a great memory for your students?  Those may be your thoughts on your “planned last day.”  Here’s the truth – largely, we don’t know when that day will be.  No of us are guaranteed the next five minutes.  I know this from a personal experience on September 8, 2009.  Here’s the deal – work hard each day to do all of the above in your classrooms.  Teach the essential understandings in your classroom. Prioritize what those are.  Use the data you receive to better inform your instruction and what needs to be adjusted.  Create memories each day for kids that have create both academic retention and transfer.  Teach your rear off.  Make the most of every opportunity because you never know when that opportunity is your last one. 

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The Browns play in “The Battle of Ohio” this weekend on the shores of Lake Erie against the Cincinnati Bengals.  Either way, a team with orange in their team colors is going to win…let that be the team up North!