- We've partnered with Pilot Pen.
This season, the makers of pilot frixion
the number one selling erasable gel ink pen
and together we're sharing inspiring stories that prove
how powerful the simple act of writing can be.
So I want to introduce you to a teacher who goes all out
for her third grade students, buying books, school supplies
providing meals for their families.
She's amazing.
And that's not even it every week she reminds each
and every one of her students, how special they actually are
by sending heartfelt, handwritten postcards
and take it from the daughter of a teacher.
The impact is of this is just huge.
It makes sense why she was chosen as one
of California's teachers of the year.
She is with us right now.
Hi, Laura.
- Hi!
- I mean first of all thank you so much for being a teacher.
It's such a hard job, so thank you so much.
- Thank you for having me.
- No absolutely, so why did you decide to write
put like personal postcards?
It's a lot of time, that takes a lot of time.
- Well, it's exciting
and how often as a kid do you get mail?
I still have fond memories
of my grandmother sending me letters when I was a kid.
And (laughs) wow.
And especially when she would slip
in a five or $10 bill it was special obviously.
So I started writing welcoming postcards
to my students as soon as I started teaching
but it wasn't always consistent
during the last five years
I made an effort to always send a welcome postcard
to all of my students
and once the pandemic hit and we pivot
to online instruction
I made it a point to write notes
to my students as an attempt to connect
figure out another way to connect with them
and what it's really excited that when we're back online
they sometimes show me the little sticker
or the note or the postcard that they received.
So I know that they're very excited
and I like writing them in print
because it's like sending a little bit
of myself and since I can't see them in person
this is one way that I let them know "Hey"
and I get to say hello in a more personal way
on a weekly basis with many of them.
- It's such a beautiful thing and you're right.
We don't really get mail unless it's bills.
So that's like a really nice thing to do
especially for a kid
like going out to the mailbox has been a hard year.
Just having something to look forward to.
It's very special.
What do you say in the cards to them?
Like, what do you kind of talk about
and what are their reactions?
- I write them for different reasons.
Sometimes they may be because I am congratulating them
on the great work they did that week
on completing their task
or maybe you're on your way
or they showed kindness to someone else in the classroom.
So I try to focus on a journal entry
that they may have done that week and tried to personalize
with feedback that directly links to that journal entry
or something that may have happened in the classroom.
And for parents
I want them to really know
that it really takes a village and I am very grateful
for the support that they have provided this year.
So it's my way of saying we're on the same team.
We're all working toward the same common goal.
- Absolutely you're wonderful.
I love you.
I love my kids' teachers too.
You're right.
When you say a village raises these kids it's 100% true.
And sometimes often you see the teachers more
throughout the day than you do your own parents
'cause then bedtime comes after everybody's home
from school and stuff and work.
So how do you feel being recognized for your kindness
as being one of California's teachers of the year?
- Well, thank you.
It's been an honor truly, you know
some things that I'm really, that I take a lot
of pride in is developing relationships with my students.
And every year when I get a new batch
welcoming them and meeting them where they're at
regardless of language at assignation, academic status,
you know
we're going to start wherever you're at
and we're going to move forward together
and try to have fun in third grade.
- Well, our friends
at pilot were so inspired by your story Laura
that they're going to send you an assortment
of frixion G2 and other pilot pens to always have
on hand for your students
how does that sound?
(crowd applauding)
Thank you so much Laura
Keep up the amazing work.
We appreciate it.
- Thank you for having me.
- Absolutely.