When I started out, veteran teachers at my school said to me, “you won’t really understand what you’re contributing until your students grow up and come back as adults.” I didn’t really understand what they were saying because it sounded unfathomably distant in the future.
But I am beginning to find out.
It’s just starting to sink in that the kids I taught in 2001-2, who were then high school freshmen, are now about 1 year older than I was when I taught them. The ones I taught in 2002-3 are 1 year younger.
BANANAS.
Example: I just had an email exchange with one of my 2002-3 students, who is now involved in math education (!) working for the Young People’s Project. This is the second former student I know of to get involved in math education. *Proud.* I would go so far as to say, *kvelling.*
Research in Practice 
This is a great result of teaching!!!
I have learned a great deal from your former students 🙂
Ben:
And your former student, Sam Cohen, is taking pre-med courses at Harvard Extension.
And your former tutee (?), Ben Cohen, is entering a PhD program in history at University of Virginia!
Steve
Pre-med?? I thought for sure he was headed for education, in spite of his protestations. But a care profession was inevitable 😉 Give both of them my best!
Yes, that’s what we do it for. Kvelling is the right word too.
I almost feel dumb being so excited about it since this is what you and the rest of the veterans have been talking about the whole time!
I had one this year show up with HER BABY. I nearly fainted.
I think that’s awesome but I also have to tease your suburban school. One of my 2001-2 students was a father by 2003.