I took my kid to the doctor, and when we left she asked if we could go visit the places I grew up and went to school. Drove by my grade school but didn’t stop in, still in session. Went by my junior high and there was my science teacher, she was probably a few years from retirement.

I said hi and we talked for a bit, told her “no, not a parent, you were my teacher almost 30 years ago”, and she got a huge smile on her face and was really happy one of her students recognized her and talked with her for a while.

Made the trip worth it, but I am glad she didn’t remember me. Was a shithead kid in junior high, but I think we all kind of were at that age.

[–] Flummoxed@lemmy.world 4 points 6 months ago* (last edited 6 months ago)

This is the absolute best gift you can give a teacher, to come back and say to us, "You made a difference; I remember you."

We don't get to know if we really did anything unless this happens.

Source: watching my mum as a 40+ year teacher and my own 10+ years in the profession.

ETA: Space I could not live with.