I have taught for 16 years now and starting way back when….I’m guessing(I’m terrible with time) 8-12 years ago I read the story in Chicken Soup for the Soul about “Who I am Makes a Difference”. This really touched me about how it was important to let people know that they do make a difference to others. We always intend to do let someone know or just assume some knows how we feel, but this was an awesome way to show it. Each year my kids make a personal scrapbook to keep track of events during 5th grade. I take pictures and we put the scrapbook together with pictures, stickers, and writing. Many of my former students visit the classroom for one reason or another and they usually inquire about their class “YIPs” book. Along with each of their books during the last week of school they each make a memory page for me to keep in my own scrapbook. I thought after reading this story about Difference Makers that it would be wonderful to make each of them a page to send with them and include a Blue Ribbon letting them know that they Make A Difference to me!

I read the story about the boy who was going to end it all when his dad finally took the time to say you know I love you right? Our ceremony is simple: I give a speech looking at each of them and I let them know they can accomplish anything they want and that they all make a positive difference in the world to someone. I then announce their names and hand out pages while their classmates clap and applaud loudly! This is a wonderful and sad time for me, because they have grown so much during the year and finally realizing the year is over and they are moving on. Thankfully our school building goes up to 6th grade so I get to see them once in a while in the halls the next year. I so look forward to former student visitors. Proudly for know I can say that I recognize and can name most of the former students! I am attaching a picture of the letter front and back.