Letter To Mrs Varrie
Dear Mrs Varrie (even though you died many years ago),
I never had the chance to thank you for something you did 42 years ago when I was in second grade.
It happened at Linksfield Primary School. I had been sent to the principal’s office by another teacher for asking why drawing was not allowed during quiet time.
“Because!” said the teacher.
“But I’m not disturbing anyone.” I said. (I have always had this incredible desire to sketch when I am relaxed and sitting quietly.)
“You’re disturbing yourself.” She said.
“That makes no sense?” I replied.
“You have no sense,” she said. "That’s why you are in the D class. Clever people with good sense are in the A class."
“How come you are teaching the D class and not the A class?” I asked. “Is it because…?”
Then all hell broke lose.
I was hauled by the collar to the principal’s office where I sat, for what seemed like hours, ready for a giant spanking. (But my mom always told me to speak the truth and be honest about what I was feeling!)
Then you came along Mrs. Varrie, the best second grade teacher in the world.
You asked me why I was there and I told you.
You looked around, took me by the hand, and led me back to Mr’s D’s classroom.
Outside the room you bent down and spoke to me.
“Trevor,” you said. “You are a wonderful boy. Even though you have problems learning, I promise you will do just fine. Don’t let anybody put out that lovely bright light inside of you.”
I wanted to hug you on the spot Mrs. Varrie.
I wish I had.
You went inside and told Mrs. D that you had spoken to me and that I needed to come back into class.
I did.
And during quiet time I smiled to myself and gazed out of the window as I drew a thousand pictures inside my mind while Mrs. D scowled at me.
Thank you, Mrs. Varrie, for fueling my inner fire, while others where trying to extinguish it!
Trevor
What great timing for this post! I teach elementary school, and school starts for us next week. I hope to be a Mrs. Varrie in the lives of the children I encounter each day--it's why I changed careers to become a teacher later in life. And in my class, kids may draw during their free time. You're an excellent reminder of why I think drawing is just as important as the other things we do in school.
Thank you!
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Dear Mrs Varrie - Thank you for your memory, and for jogging mine, an old classmate in our first school years. Mrs Varrie was an impressive woman that I remember as a proud, straight backed person with great integrity. Linksfield School had a number of very special people that we had the privilege to meet.
For me, Mr and Mrs Chosack were undaunting champions for all with interests and talents outside of the South African basic icon of sports... Their musical events and the Otherways Club showed me that there could be a place in the world for us too.
Young Mr Matthews with his touching faith and earnest struggles to encourage us to do our best. I believe that his passion was intensely personal and real.
And principal Mr Puxley's endeavors to instill strong ethical values in each of us. "Waste not, want not..." has echoed throughout my life, now almost 50 years later.
And my friends, with warm hearts and wonderful gifts. Unfortunately I don't have any contact with other classmates any more since I moved to Sweden over 30 years ago. I am so grateful to have access to your shining example as a leading star. Yours must be the pinnacle of our achievements.
I feel very blessed to have shared time and space with you and all these people. Thank you all.
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