Responsibility & Reward

Eric C. Skiles
BoD
Vice President C/U

I recently had a student leave our program and return to California, despite all my best efforts to temp him with scholarship money and stage opportunities. There was a brief farewell party after the last production of the season, and off he went. I was sad to see him go. He was a good student, a good actor, and – best of all – incredibly dedicated, hard-working, and congenial. He was the type of student that makes me think…”If I had 100 of him, I could rule the world!”

Several weeks later, another student came by my office and dropped off a letter. Of course, it was from the departed actor.

Needless to say, the letter was very moving. He wanted to thank me for all I had done for him. What I had taught him. How I had changed his life. The words he didn’t feel comfortable saying to me directly, he expressed very eloquently in writing.

We never know how often or how deeply we impact our students. If we are lucky, a few of them will tell us. This can be a special moment for any educator, who probably spends more than a few moments worrying about how effective they are in class or on stage.


I had an elderly, grandfatherly superintendent during my second job in the public schools of Texas. I dropped into his office to chat (we worked in a VERY small consolidated ISD) and he told me something I have never forgotten. He told me to keep a file of “thank you” letters – a few positive notes – which I could always call upon when doubt or frustration set in. I heeded his advice and I still carry that file with me today.

This latest letter will undoubtedly go into that file.

Early summer is such a great time to reflect about what we do as educators. It’s the time to evaluate and dream for the future. It is the time to re-energize.

Take time to muse on your successes! Not to “rest on your laurels” – but to remind yourself of WHY you do what you do. Start your file of “thank you” letters. Evaluate what didn’t work BUT also rejoice it what did work – even if it was unexpected.

We each make a difference every day in the lives of our students. A big responsibility which can lead to A HUGE reward.