Surprise in a manila envelope

It's been two weeks since I said goodbye the class of students that stirred up in me a passion to teach!

That was my pre-autumn teaching practicum, also called a September experience. If you missed my reflections on it, they're down, below this post, under my August and September entries.

Since pre-autumn, nothing has been the same.

Sound corny?

Well, it's true. It's like FINALLY! Now I have an incentive to LEARN in college! -- not that I didn't before, but -- do you know what I mean? Now, when I'm studying about how to accommodate a student who doesn't speak English, I see a 9-year-old-boy's face, and I have something [or, rather, someone] to apply my learning to. 

So, needless to say, I still think about these students a lot, and their teacher, who I have referred to as Mr. P.

This brings me to the reason for this post.

Two days ago, my brother [also a teacher], without a word, handed me this:

I recognized it as a "PONY" envelope, or a manila envelope used to deliver things from one department to another within the school districts.  

It wasn't until I saw the name on the front that I knew it was for me. It was sent to Mr. Avila, from Mr. P.

I peeked inside...

...and squealed with delight!

No WAY!

Here's some of what was inside the envelope:

Yay! Haha. That made my day. I was beginning to wonder if they even noticed my absence, and to plan my next visit, to keep investing in them. 

Thanks, Mr. P., and fourth grade kiddos.