23 September 2008
Dang it!
I just finished putting on my makeup, and then this e-mail about William's kindergarten teacher arrives. So much for my mascara.
We would like to share the following article which was part of our MPS weekly employee newsletter:
Ruth Lotzer: Kindergarten, start to finish by Lisa Ramirez
In 1995, twelve years into teaching, Ruth Lotzer arrived at a life-altering realization. One that would renew her journey with the class of kindergartners with whom she began her career—and those lucky enough to follow.
Lotzer recollects, “I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, *this is the year* my first class is graduating! I wonder where they’re at?’”
The question might have stayed a rhetorical one, had it not been for the secretary who overheard her and suggested, “Let’s find out.”
So it happened. The roll call of students from Lotzer’s Morris Park kindergarten class of 1984 was sent to all MPS high schools, with a note asking if any of the students might possibly be graduating seniors in the class of ’95.
Soon “yes” replies came back and Lotzer wrote a letter to that very first class of kindergarten students who knew her as “Miss Goodman.”
The experience was an emotional one and Lotzer considered not doing it again, much the same way she tells herself each year that she won’t cry when her kindergartners leave her for first grade. “But I always do.”
And, so it is with the letters. In this, her 25th of teaching, Lotzer has already sent letters—13 years running—to every graduating student she can locate from every kindergarten class she’s had since. “Each year I say, 'I can’t do it.' Then I say, ‘I have to.’"
Lotzer does more than just write a letter. She includes a copy of the class picture, complete with self-portraits drawn by the kids in their first academic year. "It's such a good feeling. You start them off at the starting line, you want to see them off at the finish.”
The payback is rewarding. "I send the letters at a chaotic time of year. I don't expect letters back. But when they come, it's a bonus."
From the class of 2008, Lotzer received a special bonus, one of her kindergartners, turned Edison graduate, will be attending Lotzer's alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus. "She wrote me the nicest letter and now I'm making arrangements to attend my reunion this fall and I hope to see her there."
Lotzer also receives letters from parents, notes from former students and with tears in her eyes, Lotzer remembers the time she returned to a classroom filled with roses from a grateful student.
“I just want the students to know they made a difference in my life. We’re all in such a hurry, we don’t express what’s important and I want them to know I’m proud of what they've accomplished.”
Ruth Lotzer began her teaching career at Morris Park. Today she teaches at Hale Elementary--the same school she attended as a child; the same school her mother attended as well. She is now getting ready for her 25th class of kindergartners. The senior high school class of 2009 will graduate her 14th kindergarten class.
We would like to share the following article which was part of our MPS weekly employee newsletter:
Ruth Lotzer: Kindergarten, start to finish by Lisa Ramirez
In 1995, twelve years into teaching, Ruth Lotzer arrived at a life-altering realization. One that would renew her journey with the class of kindergartners with whom she began her career—and those lucky enough to follow.
Lotzer recollects, “I just thought, ‘Oh my gosh, *this is the year* my first class is graduating! I wonder where they’re at?’”
The question might have stayed a rhetorical one, had it not been for the secretary who overheard her and suggested, “Let’s find out.”
So it happened. The roll call of students from Lotzer’s Morris Park kindergarten class of 1984 was sent to all MPS high schools, with a note asking if any of the students might possibly be graduating seniors in the class of ’95.
Soon “yes” replies came back and Lotzer wrote a letter to that very first class of kindergarten students who knew her as “Miss Goodman.”
The experience was an emotional one and Lotzer considered not doing it again, much the same way she tells herself each year that she won’t cry when her kindergartners leave her for first grade. “But I always do.”
And, so it is with the letters. In this, her 25th of teaching, Lotzer has already sent letters—13 years running—to every graduating student she can locate from every kindergarten class she’s had since. “Each year I say, 'I can’t do it.' Then I say, ‘I have to.’"
Lotzer does more than just write a letter. She includes a copy of the class picture, complete with self-portraits drawn by the kids in their first academic year. "It's such a good feeling. You start them off at the starting line, you want to see them off at the finish.”
The payback is rewarding. "I send the letters at a chaotic time of year. I don't expect letters back. But when they come, it's a bonus."
From the class of 2008, Lotzer received a special bonus, one of her kindergartners, turned Edison graduate, will be attending Lotzer's alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus. "She wrote me the nicest letter and now I'm making arrangements to attend my reunion this fall and I hope to see her there."
Lotzer also receives letters from parents, notes from former students and with tears in her eyes, Lotzer remembers the time she returned to a classroom filled with roses from a grateful student.
“I just want the students to know they made a difference in my life. We’re all in such a hurry, we don’t express what’s important and I want them to know I’m proud of what they've accomplished.”
Ruth Lotzer began her teaching career at Morris Park. Today she teaches at Hale Elementary--the same school she attended as a child; the same school her mother attended as well. She is now getting ready for her 25th class of kindergartners. The senior high school class of 2009 will graduate her 14th kindergarten class.
