Class acts

I recieved this e-mail from an old friend this morning (name removed to protect the innocent.)

I am retiring from _________ at the end of the day today. I will be going to work part-time on a project at ____ so you'll still see me around from time to time.

There are some few individuals that serve as inspiration and models to us in our professional lives. From our first meeting, you have been both for me. Your writings/musings/etc. are still a required part of my daily fodder and will continue to be so.

Thank you for all of our discussions, whether we agree or disagree. They have always been respectful, thoughtful, profound, and disconcerting because they make me think. I appreciate all you do and all you have done. Keep fighting the good fight and spreading your great words!

A little later (THE SAME DAY!), I received this:

Mr.  Johnson:

It is so great to have my computer running smooth.   For two years I have had windows popping up on start up and programs not working as they should  Several others have looked trying to find the source of the problem with no luck.   Even the windows blue screen has shown up at times and I wondered what next.

Yesterday when my virus check stopped working, I phoned ______ and in a half hour's time he fixed all the problems.

Please thank him again for me. 

When is the last time you sent such a classy e-mails to someone else?

How little it takes, except the doing of it, to make someone's so-so day into a really good one.

Have a happy weekend!

Comments

[Todd Wandio]

I get about one per year from satisfied stakeholders. However, I always feel bad taking credit for what my students have accomplished. While I know I have created the ideal environment for the students to be successful, I also understand that it is they who have accomplished so much. I think that is common for people in our profession.

[Doug Johnson]

Hi Todd,

I don't think humility in education necessarily serves us well. In not "bragging" a little about we do, others don't learn about what we do many times.

I always like to take credit when my staff does great work. After all, I was the genius who hired them ;-)

Don't hide your light under a bushel!

Doug