Again, one of so many, but it shows (again) what I tried to do as a teacher. This student letter was spontaneous, not an assignment, not for any kind of credit, just because he wanted to tell me something, and to thank me for taking him seriously.

Dear Mr. Sterling,

After talking to you for 60 minutes I felt you are really a great “teacher.” You taught me many things and your advice and comments will always stay in my mind. I felt extremely fortunate to had the chance to sit with you and just talk.

You helped me to exam myself again. I understand myself more and realized my weaknesses. You have corrected my “past” errors and I promise I will not commit the same fault again in the future.

Just so happened, the TV program I saw during the weekend showed me what the U.S. has done in the past toward the idea of utopia. I was watching a documentary on the history of our space development. Not so long ago, as you probably can recall it, the US and the Soviets joined their space crafts several hundreds miles above the surface of the earth in the outer space. I watched closely at the moment that 2 astronauts from 2 nations shake others hand. It was really a very special moment for the history of mankind. I wonder when will these two nations work together again on other things? I just can’t imagine how perfect this world would be if “all” nations work together. Well, if this happens, then we no longer need armed forces and other security devices.

Mr. Sterling, I felt very fortunate for Marshall to have you as one of its staffs. I think you are absolutely a friendly person. While I talk to you, I no longer feel that I am talking to a teacher rather than a person who would “listen.” I think of you as a person who cares about other people and tries to solve any problem.

You know, Mr. Sterling, I still think it’s a miracle that we met. You helped me, pointed out my mistake and showed me how to correct it. I was really into our conversation, I wished it could be longer. Unlike many teachers, you sat down and have a very relax conversation in order to know the student better. I am looking forward to “talk” to you more before I graduate. I hope you don’t mind, Mr. Sterling, but I really look at you as my “friend” or “some one that cares” rather than a teacher.

Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Ken