By Therese Sherlock, CSJ
Postcard responses to the question: What is one thing you dream of doing before you die? Display in the Chicago Cultural Center.
Who was your favorite teacher? What makes you remember this teacher as important to you? My friend Dave told me about a teacher he had in eighth grade—Mrs. Fraser. Her students all thought she was ancient when she was teaching them, but she didn’t die until Dave and his class were in their mid-30s.
Many of them attended Mrs. Fraser’s wake. After paying their respects at the casket and greeting her children, they gathered in a corner to visit. They shared stories about Mrs. Fraser, mostly about how strict she was and how demanding in her assignments.
Dylan had been one of the toughest guys in their eighth grade of only 26 kids. Seeing Dylan at the wake surprised my friend. They were laughing about ways they got around Mrs. Fraser’s rules when Dylan pulled his wallet out of his pocket.
“I know she was a hard teacher,” he said, “but on the last day of class, when we were cleaning out our desks and lockers, she gave me this.” He unfolded a worn piece of paper. “She told me there were five great things about me that she wanted me to always remember. I’m not going to read them to you, but it meant a lot to me that she saw some good in me.”
After a moment Alisa opened her purse and unzipped a small pocket inside it. Her worn piece of paper looked like Dylan’s. “She gave me a list, too,” Alisa said. “I read it when I am having a hard time. I’ll tell you one thing she wrote: ‘You are brave, Alisa.’”
One by one Mrs. Fraser’s 30-something students took out their folded papers and spoke about what her recognition of their good qualities had meant to them.
Dave thought the saying her children chose to place beneath her photo was perfect: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
- Who has been Mrs. Fraser to you?
