My old high school alumni association has an award we give every year. In fact we give three - to a current teacher, a support person, and a retired teacher.
Two years ago I nominated my 11th grade geometry teacher. She was accepted and was escorted to the event by her grandaughter - also a teacher at this school - and her new great-grandson, less than a year old.
Mrs. Nance was 90 years old. She showed up about an hour before the event started. I was giving her the award, so we sat and talked for a half hour, catching up. During that time, four former students came over and talked to her. Then an older gentleman walked up.
“Mrs. Nance? I’m (name). I’m sorry I can’t stay to see the award ceremony tonight, but when I found you were going to be here, I had to drive up (175 miles one way!) to say thank you. You were my math teacher in 1965 and you were the only one who believed in me. I now work as a stockbroker, and remember your lessons often. Thank you so much for giving so much to me.”
Mrs. Nance had tears in her eyes. The man hugged her, then said he had to drive back to be with his family that evening.
During the awards ceremony, over 100 former students were in the audience and stood up when I asked them to. It was quite the evening.
Mrs. Nance died 2 months later. Her granddaughter told us she couldn’t stop talking about the evening and the award occupied a prominent place in her home.
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