As she stood in front of her 5th-grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children something that wasn’t true. Like most teachers, she said she loved all her students the same. But that was impossible, because in the front row, slouched in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn’t play well with other children, his clothes were messy, and he often needed a bath. On top of that, Teddy could be unpleasant.
It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson actually enjoyed marking his papers with a big red pen, putting large X’s, and writing a big “F” at the top.
At her school, she had to review each child’s past records, and she left Teddy’s for last. But when she read his file, she was surprised.
Teddy’s 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 wrote, “Teddy is an excellent student, well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness, and life at home must be hard.”
His third-grade teacher wrote, “His mother’s death has been very hard on him. He tries his best, but his father doesn’t show much interest. His home life will affect him if changes aren’t made.”
His fourth-grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He has few friends and sometimes sleeps in class.”
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and felt ashamed. She felt even worse when the students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in pretty paper, except for Teddy’s. His present was clumsily wrapped in heavy brown paper from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson carefully opened it in front of the other presents. Some children laughed when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some stones missing and a perfume bottle one-quarter full. But she hid her smile and said how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on and dabbing some 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 at least an hour.
That day, she stopped teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she decided to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid special attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, he seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he improved. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in class, and despite her lie about loving all children the same, Teddy became one of her favorites.
A year later, she found a note under her door from Teddy, saying she was still the best teacher he ever had.
Six years passed before another note arrived. Teddy wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had.
Four years later, another letter came. He said that while life had been tough at times, he stayed in school, and would soon graduate from college with the highest honors. He told Mrs. Thompson she was still his best and favorite teacher.
Then four more years passed. Another letter came. He wrote that after getting his bachelor’s degree, he decided to go further. He signed the letter, “Theodore F. Stoddard, MD,” and said she was still his favorite teacher.
The story didn’t end there. That spring, Teddy wrote again. He said he had met a girl and was going to get married. He explained that his father had died a few years ago and asked if Mrs. Thompson would sit at the wedding in the seat usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
Of course, Mrs. Thompson agreed. She wore the bracelet with missing rhinestones and the perfume Teddy remembered from his mother.
They hugged, and Dr. Stoddard whispered, “Thank you, Mrs. Thompson, for believing in me. Thank you for making me feel important and showing me I could make a difference.”
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back, “Teddy, you have it all wrong. You taught me I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you.”
For those who don’t know, Teddy Stoddard is now a doctor at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, with the Stoddard Cancer Wing named after him.
Warm someone’s heart today. Try to make a difference in someone’s life, even in a small way. Random acts of kindness matter. Believe in angels, then be one yourself.