Let me tell you about my friend Pete Springer- fellow blogger, teacher, and dear friend. He is a retired teacher with all the ‘right stuff’ when it comes to understanding children. He visited my classroom a few years ago (which was absolutely wonderful), and that sparked a conversation among friends and teachers.
He’s coming to your classroom, and you’ve never met him? How do you know this guy?
Bloggers are friends, family. We’re a community who understand and support each other. We share, laugh, and slowly become a family over time. People just don’t understand.
They’ve never walked in our blogging shoes.
The opportunity to meet a fellow blogger and friend is rare and very special. I was lucky to meet Pete. It was as if we’d known each other forever. Well, we had. I don’t need to tell you how he immediately connected with the children. Of course they loved him!
As time has gone on, Pete shares the best posts about his students, mentors, reading aloud, family, volunteering and more. He is grounded in teaching, because 32 years gives you a full load of children and learning. Thank goodness he shares his wisdom and stories. I cherish his reflections.
When Pete learned this is my 40th year of teaching, he surprised me with two gifts:
‘Just hired, 40 years ago’.
I laughed my head off!
It’s My Workiversary.
40 years and counting.
Thank you, Pete. The humor is THE best. Everyone has laughed their heads off. Laughing comes from the heart, and so does teaching. You know that well. More importantly, you stop to say ‘thank you’ not just with gifts, but with words.
Your words to me are beautiful. Thank you!
Your words to fellow teachers are very powerful. Many teachers have saved this video, tucked away for a rainy day, or a day to remember. Every teacher in my school watched it and, well, swelled with emotion.
Pete, thank you for being you, for your giving, for your inspiration, and for your friendship. Thank you for making me feel like a Superhero.
Pete’s blog can be found at petespringerauthor.wordpress.com
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
I love this post!!
Teachers are amazing!
Thank you!
I only have time to pop in for a minute right now, Jennie, as I’m off to get a crown and then take a friend to her PT appointment, but I’ll be back later today.
It was just about two years that I got to visit your classroom. It was one of the highlights of my trip. I’m so glad that I got to meet you and Steve in person. You inspire children and inspire us to be better humans. I’m proud to call you my friend.
It was one of the best days in my classroom! Pete, you’re the one who inspires me. I’m very proud to call you my friend.
I had the good fortune of working with many amazing teachers in my career. Not everyone is cut from the same cloth. The remarkable thing about Jennie isn’t her longevity as much as it is her enthusiasm and ability to connect with children. She’s a born teacher.
She seems like the teacher kids remember
Even after they grow up
Your words are beautiful ….
Thank you Thank you Thank you for sharing this magical story –
It’s heartening to hear that the words shared among teachers have such a profound impact. It just so resonating and serves as a source of inspiration and solace …
Wonderful, and undoubtedly the video is treasured and shared among other teachers … It speaks to the strength of community and the importance of support within the teaching profession ….
Overall, emotional and spiritual feeling for me 🔆🤲❤️
Thank you for your beautiful words, Roksana! I’m glad the post gives you inspiration.
Absolutely
I’ve often said that Jennie is not only a teacher to children but a teacher to other teachers. I should amend that to EVERYONE as we can all take something from her lessons.
This is amazing!!
Thank you, Lisa!
Thank you, Lisa. Jennie adds to the long legacy of fabulous teachers.
I love that you and Pete are friends and got to meet. Two fabulous teachers who have made a difference to so many children’s lives.
Thank you, Darlene! I feel so lucky. 🙂
Your part of that fraternity too, Darlene. One quality I find in most educators is we look out for each other besides our students.
Yes, Darlene is such a big part. I often think of the teacher she remembers, Mrs. Roll.
Thank you for saying that, Pete and Jennie. I am honoured to be part of this fraternity. I agree, educators do look out for each other.
Outstanding, Jennie!
Thanks so much, GP!
Isn’t it remarkable how many of Jennie’s former students come back to visit her, GP? What better testimony is there than that?
That is the Number One compliment!
It’s the # 1 compliment and her legacy!
making a difference in someones life is a critical achievement! You both have earned your legacy!
Whatever profession people choose, they should strive to make a contribution to the next generation. Thanks for your kind comment.
Thank you, Wayne! Tonight was a staff meeting, and fellow teachers were remarking on 40 years. I told them it was the children and the moments that were exciting, on and on. You could have heard a pin drop. Pete was the same way.
Outstanding – Pete is a gem! Congrats again – especially as you navigate your first summer after 40 yrs of teaching. Your statement: “Bloggers are friends, family. We’re a community who understand and support each other. We share, laugh, and slowly become a family over time. People just don’t understand.” rings especially true for me right now as I’ve struggled to keep my website/blog alive after having to fix many techie issues recently. The overriding reason to keep at it? Exactly what you said!
hugs
I didn’t know if I’d even make more than one post when I started this thing called blogging 5+ years ago. I’m thrilled to have made friends like you through blogging, Laura. There’s plenty of room for us to cheer on each other whatever the pursuit. I had never listened to much classical guitar until I came across your site. Keep following those dreams!
Aww shucks…I hear your cheers loud and clear. Keep following your dreams, too, blogger bud!
Thanks so much, Laura. Yes, Pete is a gem. I know what you mean about the statement I wrote. I’ve often thought about our ‘family’ and how I would never be the same without all of you. When I go through busy times and can’t catch up, or have WP techie snafus and want to quit…that thought only last for a minute, because family is everything. Mega hugs!
(imagine heart emoji here) mega hugs back atchya!
I love this!
This is a wonderful post, Jennie. I follow Pete, and I appreciate him, as I do you, on behalf of parents and children who feel the love you give them, but may not yet understand the importance of what you both have shared. I know they will eventually, as both you and Pete talk about kids who come back to visit. I see that when I visit my brother, and we run into people he had as students. The work you do is a blessing.
We’ve got something in common, having both visited Jennie’s classroom, Dan. I would have loved watching her students as they got to work with tools. Jennie gets it—give children different kinds of experiences and get them excited for learning.
You guys both understand what it takes to really let children explore and learn. I really enjoyed that day in her class.
Thank you, Dan. You make a good point about feeling the love, but understanding. Yes, they do eventually. When Pete told me he cried reading aloud Because of Winn-Dixie to his students, he jumped to the top of the teacher bar. Tell me more about your brother.
He started out teaching kids with behavioral disorders. I don’t know how much of that he’d want me to share, but these were middle school students, so you can probably imagine.
After teaching BD, he taught history. I was always impressed by the fact that he wanted his students to understand why things happened and not just the dates and other facts. He shares that history with me, often, and I am always fascinated. I think about how much more I’d understand if he had been my history teacher.
What a great teacher! Thanks, Dan.
This post is all kinds of special and lovely.
Most bloggers are here for the right reasons: to engage with one another in a respectful manner. Thanks for commenting, Fraggle. Jennie is a gem.
What an amazing post, Jennie! I love the shirt Pete bought–and Pete’s video touched my heart!
Here, here to you, Pete, and all the teachers who give their time, love, and learning to our children! You have impacted so many lives in MANY YEARS! How can anyone forget you?
Happy belated Teacher Appreciation Week! You make a difference EVERY DAY! Pete, thank you for your 31 years in education and for being a friend to Jennie and many more! The blogging community is the best! 💞❣️🙏💜🤍
Yes, lots of people on other social media platforms should take a blogging class to see how people engage in a respectful manner. It’s about all of us instead of the individual.
Yes, Pete! I wholeheartedly agree! Thank you for being a part of this community!
Many thanks, Karla! 😍
It’s my pleasure, Jennie! You’re a rock-star to me! Happy May, my Captain! 💕💕💕
That is absolutely inspirational. I wish I had more of Pete in me! I too follow his blog, read his book, enjoy his wise comments about teaching and life. Thanks for sharing this, Jennie.
I wish I had more Jacqui in me. Life would be so much simpler if I had 10% of your knowledge when it comes to technology. The lesson is we’ve all got things we’re pretty good at, and we should embrace those while remaining humble.
I’m so glad this inspired you, Jacqui. Pete certainly inspires me. His blog is terrific.
Congratulations. Forty years and more to come… lovely to have a blogger friend !
There’s room for many at the table. Looking out for one another should always be the goal.
What a kind thought. Thank you.
Thank you, Sandy. Yes, it is lovely.
A great friendship forged by a great “cause,” Jennie!😊
No better cause than education and literacy, Bruce. Everyone should be so lucky as to have a teacher like Jennie.
Well said, Bruce. You always have a way with words. Thank you!
Great post, Jennie.
I learn something each time Jennie writes a post. I start my blogging day looking at my notifications and perk up each time I see one from her.
She’s definitely special!
❤️
Thank you, Anneli!
Take a bow, Jennie. 40 years of starting the little ones off on the right road.
The kids adore Jennie, Don—with good reason. I saw it in person. Children can tell the real deal.
Thank you, Don. It is hard to take a bow. You’re the same way. Friday night is when teachers, staff, and board get together for a year-end party. We also celebrate longevity, so I’m in the barrel. Not my comfort zone.
He’s a great guy, and the gifts and card were perfect indeed.
Best wishes, Pete.
We learn from each other, Pete. As much as you like to make people think you’re a curmudgeon, your blogging friends know you’re a big teddy bear.
True!
Yes and yes! Thank you, Pete.
how wonderful! Blogily is something else!
It’s like our extended family, Ritu. My best to you and your family. I’m looking for book three when it comes out.
Thank you Pete! We are a family of sorts. Just a couple of chapters away from finishing the first draft!
Yes, it is!
Pete is amazing, Jennie. I just love how he goes above and beyond to celebrate others and share their triumphs. This is a great example. And this shout-out post acknowledging Pete’s kindness shows how alike you are. Congrats on 40 years, and I love the gifts (and photos) and Pete’s inspiring message. 🙂
Kindness is part of your DNA too, Diana. You always set a great example through your actions. As the old saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.”
🙂 🙂 Kindness is easy
Yes, he certainly is. Thank you. Diana. I shared Pete’s video with my fellow teachers. They were inspired! I think kindness runs in our blogging family.
I think you’re right. What a pleasure to find all this kindness when social media has such a notorious reputation for the reverse.
what a lovely speech Paul made, every word rang true. And as for you Jenny you are a superstar hero 💜💜💜
Jennie certainly is, Willow. I knew she was a teaching genius when I first read about how Jennie uses Gloria to teach acceptance. It was a simple but brilliant idea.
yes indeed and it works so well, simple ideas are the best. I thought your speech was really brilliant. As you say there should always one teacher who stands out in our memory I remember mostly the bad ones but that’s my bad…. School days were not good for me. 😊
Sorry to hear that. I’m sure everyone has had teachers who don’t belong in a classroom too. Mostly those are just blank years in my memory unless they did something egregious.
That’s so nice, Willow. 🥰
💜💜💜
its a pleasure Jennie you deserve it 💜💗
😍
This post was sheer delight! How thoughtful of Pete to honor your fortieth year as a teacher. I always feel uplifted and hopeful when I read his posts and your posts.
I had the good fortune of having four student teachers during my career, Liz. Can’t you just see Jennie thriving in the role of master teacher and taking young educators under her wing? I hope she considers that when she decides to retire.
Absolutely I could see Jennie in that mentoring role!
He certainly inspires me, Liz. And, his gifts were such an incredible gesture of thanks. Teachers and parents loved my sweatshirt and bag when I wore them at school.
Wonderful!
Jennie I had tears while listening to Pete.. And yes you are a superhero🦸♂️.. And as I keep saying your inspiration to your students is incredible and the testimony to that is how your students come back later in years to tell you how they are doing in life as they have never forgotten you and the impact that you made in their lives..
Congratulations again Dear Jennie… You are much loved by your students, your teaching colleagues and by your blogging community of friends..
Lots of love and hugs,, and I love those sweatshirt slogans.. 🙂
✨💖
Perfectly said, Sue. Children return because they want to show someone they respect what they’re up to. They want to make their teachers proud. There are few things that are more satisfying as a teacher than to watch our former students doing great things in their communities.
Thank you Pete… You are both treasures to this world Pete.. And wonderful to meet you x
Your comment is so very kind, Sue. Thank you! 🥰
It is the truth Jennie… Wear your superhero badge of honour. It is well deserved . xx ❤
💕
Wow … a lot in this post. Cheers to you for meeting a fellow blogger. (I’ve only meet a few.) Cheers to Pete for his positive words and dedication to his craft. Cheers to you for 40!
Just as Jennie’s coworkers may have been surprised that someone she had never met was visiting her classroom, the same was true for some of my family and friends. I knew it might be years until I was on the east coast again. She was exactly like the person you see on her blog—smart, kind, and thoughtful.
Thanks for verifying Jennie’s genuine nature … which I had no doubt. 🙂
Hear, hear! And thank you, Frank.
How special Jennie. I enjoy Pete’s blog as well, he is full of wisdom and saying thanks to others is a powerful piece of advice.
Well said and true, Carla!
Thank you, Carla. I like to surround myself with good people. Thank you for all of your amazing shares. Have you read The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl by Stacy McAnulty? It’s about a twelve-year-old girl who is struck by lightning and develops an amazing ability for numbers. It reminds me a little bit of Tom Cruise in Rain Man.
I have not, thanks for the recommendation, Pete. I will see if my library has it.
🤗
Ahhhhhh Jennie a special gift from one special educator to another…I will never forget how you helped me start Lily of on her reading English journey and she now teaches the teacher… the standard of English here is not very good but Lils shares her knowledge with her class…Thank you, Jenny x
I remember helping Lily; it was a joy! Pete is one of the best. Thank you for your kind words, Carol. 😍
Well deserved dear Jennie xoxo
❤️
Why does this not surprise me, Carol? Jennie is always looking out for others. How cool is it that Lily is now the expert? Anything that helps a child feel good about themselves is a win.
It certainly is, Pete …Jennies advice on books was invaluable 🙂
two of my teaching idols and blogging friends in one place at one time, this is powerful magic mojo! cheers to both of you and to many continued connections and inspirations ahead.
I love the words ‘powerful magic’. You represent those words, too. Thank you, Beth
You’ve got your share of magic mojo happening in Michigan, Beth. You remind me of Jennie in a lot of ways in the activities you have going on in your classroom. You both know that hands-on learning is what works best for children.
There’s this thing about ‘it takes a village..’ which I’m sure is true, but equally true, if not truer is it takes just one teacher to inspire learning and that is such a lifelong gift. There is no specific teacher mould for this but find one and they are worth their weight .
Well said and quite true, Geoff.
The beauty of teaching, much like your profession, Geoff, is there is more than one way to be a good teacher, though love should be part of the equation.
I don’t think love is often considered a requisite skillet for a lawyer but I might be wrong. Fo a teacher certainly
I love this!
I’m so glad!
Teaching and teacher’s are awesome and inspiring for students. Thanks for the profound post Jennie.
Kids have to figure out what they want to do with their lives, but a good teacher knows how to turn kids on to learning with their natural enthusiasm. Jennie has an excess amount of that so her students want to make her proud.
Yes I completely agree with your valuable feedback Pete. Jennie is an excellent teacher. Thanks 👍
I’m so happy you enjoyed this, Kamal. When teaching comes from joy and the heart, it spreads like wildfire. Pete knows that well.
Yes absolutely true Jennie. Teaching is from the heart.👍👍
Whoo hoo Pete! And whoo hoo Jennie. You both exemplify all the best of the best teachers who help our child grow kindness, creativity, and a sense of humor while learning their ABC’s.
Thank you, Pam! That’s so nice.
It was a kick to meet Jennie and her husband, go out to dinner, and of course, visit her classroom. Naturally, she told a Jennie story. It happened like this . . .
Pingback: Giving Thanks – Teacher to Teacher, Blogger to Blogger, Friend to Friend – wordpress.blog/jameskedze
Thank you.
Beautiful, love this
Thank you.
Hi Jennie, Applause to both of you!!!
Imagine all of the children’s lives she has influenced over the course of 40 years, Charles.
Thank you, Charles.
Congratulations. Not everyone finds their calling as young as you did & to be able to continue doing what you want is a gift. Teachers gotta teach!
Thanks, Ally. Some people have the gift of teaching, and Jennie is one of those. As I like to say, any parent or grandparent would be fortunate to have their child/grandchild in her class.
Spot on, Ally. Thank you!
So sweet to see people resuscitate what is dying in our time — kindness and celebrating others!
Beautiful! Thank you!
Wonderful post and great that you got to meet each other!
you guys are both amazing!
Thank you!
Congratulations on 40 years of changing lives for the better, Jennie. I love Peter’s humorous gifts, but especially his gift of recognition and friendship. How great is his video expressing appreciation for teachers.
Thank you, Norah. I’m still a bit stunned at 40 years. Yes, Pete’s gifts are humorous, but the underlying message is friendship and kindness, and appreciation for teachers.
You are both the best thing that can happen to someone who is interested in the best training for the children. Unfortunately you cannot be cloned yet. -) Thanks for all your very important hints. Best wishes, Michael
Awesome! Teachers rock!
That’s so nice, Bette. Thank you!