There is a story about a primary school teacher named Mrs. Thompson. On the first day of her 5th-grade class, she told her students she loved them all equally. But this was difficult because of a boy in the front row named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had observed Teddy the previous year. He didn't play well with others, his clothes were messy, and he often seemed unpleasant. She even took a certain delight in marking his papers with bold red Xs and a failing grade.
At her school, teachers were required to review each child's past records. Mrs. Thompson saved Teddy's file for last. When she finally read it, she was shocked.
His first-grade teacher wrote: "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around."
His second-grade teacher noted: "Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness."
His third-grade teacher reported: "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries his best, but his father shows little interest."
His fourth-grade teacher described him as: "withdrawn, showing little interest in school, with few friends, and sometimes sleeping in class."
Mrs. Thompson was filled with shame. Her guilt deepened at Christmas when students brought her beautifully wrapped gifts. Teddy's gift was clumsily wrapped in heavy brown paper from a grocery bag.
She opened it among the other presents. Inside was a rhinestone bracelet with missing stones and a bottle one-quarter full of perfume. Some children laughed, but Mrs. Thompson stopped them. She exclaimed how beautiful the bracelet was, put it on, and dabbed perfume on her wrist.
Teddy stayed after school just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my mom used to."
After the children left, she cried for an hour. That day, she stopped merely teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. She began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid special attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By year's end, Teddy was one of the smartest children in class.
A year later, she found a note from Teddy under her door, calling her the best teacher he ever had.
Six years later, another note arrived. He had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher.
Four years after that, a letter came saying he would graduate from college with highest honors.
Four more years passed, and another letter arrived. He explained that after his bachelor's degree, he had decided to go further. The letter was signed: Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D. He still called her his best and favorite teacher.
The story continued. That spring, another letter came. Teddy said he was getting married. His father had died, and he wondered if Mrs. Thompson would sit in his wedding in the place reserved for the mother of the groom. She agreed.
At the wedding, Dr. Stoddard hugged Mrs. Thompson and whispered, "Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for making me feel important and showing me I could make a difference."
With tears in her eyes, Mrs. Thompson whispered back, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."