Like most teacher, Mrs.

Thompson looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. He didnt play well with other children, his clothes were messy and he constantly needed a bath. nd Teddy could be unpleasant. !t "ot to the point where Mrs. Thompson would take deli"ht in makin" bold #s and then puttin" a bi" $%& at the top of his papers. !n that school, teachers were re'uired to review each childs past records. Mrs. Thompson reviewed Teddys file last. She was in for a surprised. Teddys first "rade teacher wrote, $Teddy is a bri"ht child with a ready lau"h. He does his work neatly and has "ood manners...he is a (oy to be around. His second "rade teacher wrote, $Teddy is an e)cellent student, well liked by his classmates but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a stru""le.& His third "rade teacher wrote, $His mothers death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesnt show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps arent taken.& Teddys fourth "rade teacher wrote, $Teddy is withdrawn and doesnt show much interest in school. He doesnt have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class.&

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. s she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encoura"ed him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in his class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of $teachers pets&. year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, tellin" her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Si) years went by before she "ot another note. he had finished hi"h school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. %our years after that, she "ot another letter, sayin" that while thin"s had been tou"h at times, hed stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon "raduate from colle"e with the hi"hest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life. Then four years passed and yet another letter came. This time he e)plained that after he "ot his bachelors de"ree, he decided to "o a little further. The letter e)plained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little lon"er / the letter was si"ned, Theodre %. Stoddard, M.0. The story doesnt end there. 1ou see, in yet another letter that sprin", Teddy said hed met this "irl and was "oin" to be married. He e)plained that his father had died a couple of years a"o and he was wonderin" if Mrs. Thompson mi"ht a"ree to sit in the place at the weddin" that was usually reserved for the mother of the "room. -f course, Mrs. Thompson did. nd "uess what 2 She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missin". nd she made sure she was wearin" the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearin" on their last +hristmas to"ether. They hu""ed each other, and 0r. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompsons ear, $Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believin" in me. Thank you so much for makin" me feel important and showin" me that ! could make a difference.&

By now, Mrs. Thompson reali*ed the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brou"ht her +hristmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bri"ht paper, e)cept for Teddy,s. His present was clumsily wrapped. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open in it the middle of the other presents. Some of the students started to lau"h when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missin" and a bottle that was one 'uarter full of perfume. But she stifled the childrens lau"hter when she e)claimed how pretty the bracelet was, puttin" it on, and dabbin" some perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day (ust lon" enou"h to say, $Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled (ust like my mother used to.& fter the children left, she cried for at least an hour. -n that very day, she 'uit teachin" readin" and writin" and arithmetic. !nstead, she be"an to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, Teddy, you have it all wron". 1ou were the one who tau"ht me that ! could make a difference. ! didn,t knw how to teach until ! met you.&