Sam was my preschooler many years ago. He always had a smile and enjoyed playing with friends. Sam’s mother was careful about finding the right preschool for her boy. When she visited the public library, she found The Groton ABC Book by the Aqua Roomers (yes, card catalogued) and knew Sam and Jennie’s class would be a match. We were!
Sam’s preschool years were delightful. He adored Gloria, and his mother told me about the day he saw her in the library and was over the moon. There’s more to come on that story.
Sam was in my summer camp group, and we had a blast. My group did play performances for the entire camp, and they were a big hit. Why? Because the children decided on the play and their parts. Really. It would have been far easier to have a scripted play and assign parts…but then children have no say. It’s camp. It’s their play. Let the children do it. Oh boy, did they ever do it!
Sam and his best buddy,
the ‘cool dudes’ in a play performance.
I still have our Brown Bear, Brown Bear classroom book:
The years rolled on, and Sam kept in touch. His senior year was approaching. He wanted to give back to Groton Community School as his Eagle Scout project. His plan was to build a shed at the end of the playground to store bikes and outdoor playground equipment.
Simple? No!
The planning included a concrete pad. Sam had a lot to figure out, plus enlisting help, and getting donors for the materials. I have heard that an Eagle Scout project takes a year, and now I know that is true. I stopped by school one weekend when Sam was busy on his project.
The shed was finally finished. Talk about a labor of love!
And then I got The Invitation to his Eagle Scout Court of Honor.
Since the inception of the Eagle Scout Award in 1912, 2.01% of eligible scouts have earned Scouting’s highest honor. There is only one group where all members are Eagle Scouts – the astronauts who landed on the moon. What it takes to achieve this award is more than hard work; it’s a passion, and the foundation is the Scout Oath, the duties to God and country, other people, and self.
Character.
I have been fortunate to attend a few Eagle Scout Court of Honors. It is a moving, powerful event. The tradition includes lighting candles, each of which is symbolic. Your whole life is in front of you, with stories and awards of what you have done since you were seven or eight years old. Your Scoutmasters and teachers reflect on all you have done in great detail. Your fellow Scouts tell stories.
I was asked to tell a story about Sam. I knew immediately the story I would tell – seeing Gloria in the library. Character at its finest. The best part is I had the original letter Sam’s mother had written. I read it aloud to the audience.
Way to go, Sam! I’m very proud of you.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
Jennie – I just love your stories. The more I read the more I wish I had been your student. I can’t imagine having saved so many things from so many students, but I understand WHY you save them. What a truly amazing story. I sincerely hope that my primary teachers (the ones who are still around) look back and remember that crazy “Keith” kid fondly. You continue to make a difference in the lives of those students LONG after they have left your classroom. God bless you and what you do.
Thank you for a wonderful comment!!
Well done, Sam. And well done, Jennie too. The shed is wonderful.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete!
this is a delight from beginning to end, what a wonderful young man and teacher, a pair that were meant to meet. school is forever and this proves it. I love the shed !
I’m so glad you delighted in reading about Sam, and his shed! School really is forever. 😀
Yes, Eagle Scout does take a lot of drive and commitment to others along the way. A great honor. Glad you’ve had the opportunity to participate and know Eagle Scouts.
I feel the same way, Steve. When you attend a Court of Honor, it puts into focus just how remarkable the achievement is. Lucky me!
Ms. Jennie! Thank you for giving Sam such an amazing start to learning. You were such an essential part of his early years of development. We feel like we hit the lottery when we found you and GCS. We adore you and everything you do. We will always cherish our memories with you and your nurturing and emerging classroom!
Love and hugs,
Diane, Sam and Don Landry
Thank you for your very kind words! Much love, Jennie 💕
Bess him. What a fine young man. The world needs more Sams. (and more teachers like Jennie!)
Yes, bless him! And, thank you, Darlene!
What an accomplishment for Sam…for anyone. You can be proud, Jennie, for helping this Eagle fly high.
I am very proud, Don. Thank you!
Achieving this honor is a testament to Sam’s character. That he chose to give back to you and the school is a testament to you and the wonderful world of the Aqua Room.
Well said, Dan. Yes, character! Giving back was such a great testament. Thank you for ‘wonderful world’. ❤️
The bond you form with your students is tremendous! Hope we have more teachers like you in our country too!
Forming a bond is what teaching is all about. Kids want to learn when they have connected with their teacher. Thank you, Kavi.
“The impressions you make on these small children are much more than you will ever know,” wrote Diane, Sam’s mother. I agree! I echo all the comments above and remain very grateful that you exist AND that you find time/energy to share with us so many loving, respectful, and inspiring stories from your life. Hurrah for Jennie! Hurrah for Sam! And hurrah for all the lives that you have touched over the years, Jennie — and continue to touch on a daily basis!!!
My goodness…. my heart is full. Thank you, Will!!! You are a teacher, and you understand. I’m so glad that I can make a difference with children, be it small or big. I’m very happy you enjoy my stories of teaching and all that happens. Best to you, my friend. 💕
What an amazing story. I’ve been a teacher for almost three decades and have never had such a touching event. Kudos to you, Jennie.
Thank you, Jacqui! 💕
This is just so precious, Jennie 🥰
Thank you, Ritu! I bet you have similar stories.
A wonderful tale of a boy over the years. Thanks for letting us meet him.
Thank you, Elizabeth. It is quite a tale.
Undoubtedly, this is my favorite post of the week. That letter from Sam’s parents HAS TO GO in one of your books. The “never judge a book by its cover” theme is one that can never be said enough. The best part is not just saying it but showing your students, through Gloria and in your actions, what it means to accept others, despite how they look. Way to go, Sam and Jennie!
I’ll check in with you in the next week and send you a more substantial email, my friend.
Hi Pete. I’m so glad this was a favorite post! Okay…. picture me walking up to the podium and reading aloud the letter. Sam had never heard or seen it, and his parents had forgotten- until I began to read the letter. Wish you had been there! And, I wish I had been at the library when Sam saw a ‘Gloria’.
When diversity became part of teaching, teachers in our school were given ‘persona dolls’, Asian, Black, Hispanic, etc. I was the only teacher who refused, because those dolls meant nothing to children who had never seen a person of different ethnicity. Enter Gloria who is old and not pretty. I think I chose wisely.🙂
Yes, the letter will definitely go into my book. Fingers crossed I can work on it this summer.
Happy Fourth, Pete. Yes, we’ll touch base next week. Miss you.
It’s always nice to know that you were a small part of someone’s success story. Kudos!
Yes, it is. Thank you, Pam.
Oh, WOW!! I loved his mom’s letter to you about Gloria…I need a tissue! Congratulations to Sam on his great accomplishment, and to you for instilling such wonderful lessons on character in his life.
Thank you so much, Deborah. Now you can see why I kept the letter all these years. Sam’s road from preschool to Eagle Scout has been a pleasure / treasure for me to follow.
A beautiful post, Jennie. As one Eagle Scout to another. Congratulations, Sam.
Thank you, John. From the perspective of an Eagle Scout, I hope my post conveyed the significance of the achievement. I tip my hat to you, as well.
It certainly did, Jennie.
I’m so glad. Thank you.
😊
I bet you go to sleep with a smile on your lips every night, Jennie! What great memories you must have, and the one about Sam and his shed is special. Well done YOU and SAM!
Many nights I do, Joy. I have wonderful memories. Thank you!!
Wonderful story!
Thank you!
So heart-warming, Jennie!
Thank you, Becky!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Norah!
It’s nice to see so much good in one human being. Wishing him great success in life. He shows that you and his parents have been very successful in guiding him. Congrats to all of you.
Yes, it really is nice to see so much good in one human being. The stories others told at his Eagle Scout event were wonderful. If I only have a handful of time with a child, I try to sprinkle fairy dust along the way. 💕
What a wonderful Young Man Sam has become.. Such a delightful story of passion and wanting to give back… Congratulations to Sam for his Achievement award and for setting a great example of what the Scout movement is all about..
Loved that you shared his and your journey together Jennie.. Thank you ❤
Yes, he really has become a wonderful young man. His Scout award is quite a testament to his hard work and character. I’m so glad you enjoyed his journey. Thanks, Sue .💕
Loved you shared it with us Jennie xx Thank you x
You’re welcome, Sue!
What a lovely story of determination, tenacity, and faithfulness. So glad he honored your great influence in his life.
Well said, and thank you! I am very glad he honored his preschool roots. He made me proud!
Another wonderful human you have helped set on a good path Jennie. Congrats to Sam. ❤
Thanks so much, Debby! I’m so proud of Sam.
As you should be. ❤
😍
What an amazing young man. Thanks for sharing Sam’s story with us, Jennie. I wish we could clone you for all our pre-school classrooms!
That’s so nice, Carla. Thank you!