A Letter from Idaho

A Letter from Idaho

I received a well-timed letter from a student now at BYU Idaho. With her permission, I am posting here.

Dear Mr. Campbell,

Before I get into anything else, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the mentor, teacher, friend and leader that you were for me and many others. From improving my SRI score in seventh grade which allowed me to do more than I could before to lunchtime chess in your room in ninth grade where I built new friendships, I am glad I had you as my teacher to guide me to the young woman I am today.

Often I am reminded of the influence you had on my life and the lessons I learned from you. For example, I often recall the emotional bank account lesson. I use it often with close friends and those I am building relationships with (coming in handy when fights and disagreements arise). I have been able to save and work through many relationships because of the positive inputs I have deposited.

As I have reflected back on my life, I am reminded of two occurrences of when your wise thinking and counsel greatly blessed my life. The first being in seventh grade, Brienna and I were upset about something and were fighting in class. You sent us out in the glass fishbowl to talk about it. We both were then mad at you, thinking that you have gotten upset with us. Before we came back into the classroom, we made a deal that we would go to Disneyland together after graduation. You brought two best friends closer together that day. The second time was in ninth grade when I came to you not as a teacher, but as an adult leader whom I trusted. I was asking you for advice about boys and friendship problems. Your answer was not one given to a student in the typical fashion; it was personal and spiritual.

Your excitement for learning encouraged me to be a teacher. Like when my SRI score jumped over 200 points, and you screamed during class from excitement. I want to become someone who creates that joy in another person’s life because of learning. That moment was a pivotal time for me.

When I look back at influencing teachers in my life, your name is always at the top of my list. You’re the type of teacher I want to be in my future classroom, a teacher where the students really understand that they are cared about. They know they can trust and talk to the teacher, they are excited to go to class. You were that teacher for me both years I had you, even though I want to teach young children, I want that environment to be felt. I am thankful to you for pushing me to work towards my goals and never giving up on me.

Ninth grade year was not the easiest for me. You saw my friendships with some fail and with other bloom. You saw the beginning stages of lifelong friendships with some good boys. I knew that through all of these situations, I had a sage place in your classroom. I came to you during IFlight (A flex time in middle school) to talk or to be with my new friends. I knew I was in a place of no judgment and I was free to be me. Thank you for providing that space for me and many others.

I deeply admire you and want to express my greatest appreciation to the man you are, and the influence you have had on the lives of many, including mine. You truly were a friend to me and someone I trusted. While there were times I struggled in your class, you never gave up on me. Thanks to your classes and leadership I am more confident in my abilities and have a harder work ethic. You will be a teacher I never forget.

With the deepest of respect.

KN