Dear Student,

In the moments before I address an audience of a few hundred educators and leaders from across the world, my mind wanders .........

Never before has one of my students impacted my own learning journey so deeply - and for that I owe you immense gratitude. I didn’t really know it until that moment, in Jerusalem, Israel, with those educators listening - that it was your influence and your authenticity that feed my endeavors to advocate passionately for students and to insist for alternative teaching methods - ones that support all kinds of learners.

It is moments leading up to my presentation, I’m glaring at my notes, wondering if the audience can see my heart pounding through my shirt - if they can read my thoughts. I find myself in a calm, quiet place..... drifting back to that class at that school on that day. Your head was down and you were crying. “This is why I am here” I think and smile, “I’m speaking for you.”

I couldn’t understand why, with so much work, you wouldn’t write. You had everything - a computer, a writing template, examples, time, and even a peer helper. Still, you cried - and you wouldn’t write. I felt sure that trust was fundamental in this relationship so I advocated for you in my class for a second year. I knew with flexibility and patience - you could be successful.

Almost two years have gone by. Bit by bit, I am hit with ripples of memories like these that have only now reached me, that only now I understand why I need to speak out and to question what it means to achieve. I am overwhelmed with emotion as I speak to these leaders as I think of that day. They are listening attentively, my words being translated into many languages , “We are dealing with so much more then a standard driven, text-based and regulated curriculum.” I see YOU here. It is the whole person that we teach.

“Why do I have to write?” You asked me. You suggest an alternative. A video. And then a podcast, a pencast, a blog entry, a video, a photograph and a conversation. You debated with your peers. You described math solutions with a talking pens, and presented alternative routes that the Explorers “should have taken” using interactive whiteboard tools. You led the class in conversations with 21st Century explorers who were on an expedition to the South Pole. You led our class in discussions with Olympians and you blogged, in video, audio and text about your perspective and views of real world events. You advocated for your peers and always stood up for yourself and even at your vulnerable age, you talked openly about your Learning Disability - and empowering others to do the same. You’re proud of who you are.

My face turns hot, my voice is laboured and my body feels weak. I know, even with my words and your example, our education system will sometimes lose sight of what is success . We didn’t know each other. But, I now realize that the trust we developed was the foundation for your achievement and mine.

Thank You, Mrs. Branigan-Pipe