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What a Teacher !!! – Amazing Story

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.

But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn’t play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X’s and then putting a big “F” at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child’s past records and she put Teddy’s off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy’s first grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is a joy to be around.”

His second grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.”

His third grade teacher wrote, “His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn’t show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren’t taken.”

Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class.”

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy’s. His present which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.

Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.

Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, “Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.” After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her “teacher’s pets.”

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he’d stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor’s degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer—the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.

The story doesn’t end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he’d met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson’s ear, “Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.” Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, “Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn’t know how to teach until I met you.”


64 Responses to What a Teacher !!! – Amazing Story

  1. Abu Saif March 18, 2017 at 12:29 PM #

    A GOOD LESSON FOR TEACHERS.

    THANKS, JAZAKUMULLAH

  2. MAIMUNA October 24, 2016 at 11:21 PM #

    EMOTIONAL AND INSPIRING.

  3. Khawla October 21, 2016 at 3:14 PM #

    The story touches the soul

  4. Abdallah Ouerdane October 21, 2016 at 1:05 PM #

    i just finished reading this story sent by Sara.Yes this story as i said to Mrs Sara is one that our teachers must read around all the arabic and islamic countries.Many pupils are in need especially where wars are killed many fathers and mothers.Some children are in need to affection from their teachers in lack of their parents. I do not know where you found these amazing and eductives stories but continue we are all teddy and your are Mrs Thomson.

    A.Ouerdane from Namur Belgium

  5. Abdallah Ouerdane October 21, 2016 at 12:54 PM #

    Sara you seem to be Mrs Thomson and we all like Teddy.Continue teaching us the imazing and beautiful stories.We are in need .Not only your story i read but i learn with you english.I often go to google traduction to translate some words I am proud of you Sara.Your name remember me our great Mother,Sara, wife of our great father Ibrahim.Thanks for all.
    Respectfuly
    Dr A.Ouerdane from Belgium

  6. Moh'd T Lawal December 22, 2015 at 2:47 PM #

    Very nice story

  7. RIZWAN November 16, 2014 at 2:11 PM #

    This is a powerful message to our modern society.Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being….:)

  8. Zulfiqar Ali July 22, 2014 at 11:04 AM #

    Yah… Very emotional and motivating!!! Great.

  9. Abdulmajeed Ibrahim May 6, 2014 at 12:57 PM #

    Emotional and Inspiring. How beautiful this live is if only we can make others feel they are important too.

  10. Bilal Tijjani May 6, 2014 at 3:14 AM #

    Very emotional and interesting, one of the few good stories I ever come across

  11. muhammadakbarmy April 12, 2014 at 12:52 PM #

    And emotional too

  12. muhammadakbarmy April 12, 2014 at 12:52 PM #

    Wonderful Story

  13. PRAKASH H S April 4, 2014 at 6:24 PM #

    Thanks&wonderful moments i experinced when reading last para

  14. Tunji Agboola December 19, 2013 at 3:16 PM #

    This is a very touch and moving story. I hope we all have a lesson to learn from it because l have.

  15. Ali December 7, 2013 at 5:28 AM #

    Yeah, great!
    Another of your stories from cloud cuckoo land. Such people or teachers only exist in fiction or in the imagination of do gooders. The only kinds of teachers that I came across were bastards and bitches of the first order-and gold plated ones at that. My Marathi teacher used to continuously fail me because I didn’t have money for private tuitions. My principal (Father Vijay), was evil personified and used to single me out for “special treatment” because I’m a Muslim. If I were to come across any of my so-called teachers, I’ll surely confront them and maybe even bang them up good.

    • Fiaz February 16, 2017 at 12:34 PM #

      Ali, it is true some are like that. It is unfortunate that you got only such ones. I too had bad experience with a couple of the so called “father so and so” who were prejudiced against Muslims. But, I also had good teachers who influenced greatly and I cannot forget that. I still remember those teachers with affection.

  16. Zafar Iqbal September 30, 2013 at 3:06 PM #

    This has made me cry!!!

    Actually good teachers are those who teach us; not the subjects we need to learn. These we get to learn from the text books, in any case!!!! A good teacher is NOT the book; but the guide who helps us get through the book.

    And I am not to be confused with the other “Zafar” who has commented above!!!!

    Thanks you for this story.

    • Ali - Admin September 30, 2013 at 3:46 PM #

      Zafar Iqbal you are a regular commentor on our site.
      Thanks!

  17. Saeed Ahmed September 23, 2013 at 10:45 AM #

    One of the best stories, since the subscription. I would like to rate this story as 10/10.

    Teaching is a prophetic job.

  18. Arabella November 9, 2012 at 4:00 PM #

    Wonderful! I have tears in my eyes.

    • sharif123 September 22, 2013 at 2:15 PM #

      same with me. So much emotional

  19. usman November 5, 2012 at 11:39 AM #

    Very touching.I love it

  20. Precious November 4, 2012 at 5:05 PM #

    I like the content of this site, I suggest to modify other names to the Muslim names and occassions of christmas and such other issues in Muslim orientation style. And this only to sync Muslims truly with such stories. Thanks

  21. Precious November 4, 2012 at 5:04 PM #

    I like the content of this site, I suggest to modify other names to the Muslim names and occassions of christmas and such other issues in Muslim orientation style. And this only to sync Muslims truly wit such stories. Thanks

    • Syed A K December 14, 2012 at 5:14 PM #

      Your suggestion may be Ok. But seek (take) knowledge from where ever possible, regardless of religion, country or language…etc. Our belowed Prophet Muhammad (Sallallah A W) said, if neccessary, you may travel as far as China to seek knowledge

  22. Fatima Baig November 4, 2012 at 1:19 PM #

    Im sure we do have some teachers who are humble and caring.

  23. Luqman November 3, 2012 at 3:29 PM #

    wondeful! i wish all our teachers will read and learn from these two destined-to-be-great people. Allah, ameen!!

    • Syed A K December 14, 2012 at 5:14 PM #

      Aameen

  24. mohammed November 2, 2012 at 10:29 PM #

    so human. read it many times before, but still have the same tears

  25. sk ashif November 1, 2012 at 8:54 PM #

    Awesome! excellent!mind blowing!

  26. BASHAR November 1, 2012 at 4:42 PM #

    VERY NICE

  27. Sonah November 1, 2012 at 1:15 PM #

    A value based story with a lesson of mutual enrichment, and fulfilment.

  28. Nahreen November 1, 2012 at 12:57 PM #

    The story is good but is really very long.

  29. Nahreen November 1, 2012 at 12:55 PM #

    Absolutely Wonderful but the story is too long. It could have been shorter.

  30. Nahreen November 1, 2012 at 12:54 PM #

    Absolutely Wonderful

    • Ali - Admin November 2, 2012 at 3:19 PM #

      Thanks Nahreen.

  31. talat November 1, 2012 at 11:36 AM #

    impressive

  32. parveen November 1, 2012 at 1:32 AM #

    Just 1 word “BEAUTIFUL”!!!!

  33. Zafar November 1, 2012 at 12:58 AM #

    At first i though of avoiding this long story, But fortunately when read , I am in tears, the saddest part was seeing the boy unclean because of her mother expired , I happened to loose my mother 6 years before ……and i am very untidy within ….uh it pains a lot

    • Ali - Admin November 2, 2012 at 3:14 PM #

      May God give you patience Zafar.
      Our prayers are with you.

      • ZAFAR November 2, 2012 at 6:25 PM #

        JazakAllah hu khairan

    • Arabella November 9, 2012 at 4:04 PM #

      Allahi Rahmha ( your mother).

  34. Vaseem November 1, 2012 at 12:49 AM #

    Very nice one…

    • Ali - Admin November 2, 2012 at 3:17 PM #

      Glad you liked it Vaseem.

  35. Niaz November 1, 2012 at 12:19 AM #

    Brilliant ! wonderful !! Thanks very much Sara

    • Ali - Admin November 2, 2012 at 3:17 PM #

      Welcome Niaz.

  36. chemist mahmoud October 31, 2012 at 11:33 PM #

    Old story but so inspiring that i like to hear it forever……
    thnx sara, keep on

    • Ali - Admin November 2, 2012 at 3:16 PM #

      Sure, God-willing.

  37. Rouba October 31, 2012 at 9:37 PM #

    Thanks………………………….!

    • Ali - Admin November 2, 2012 at 3:16 PM #

      Welcome Rouba.

  38. Abdalla October 31, 2012 at 7:39 PM #

    the story ends like this:
    For you that don’t know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.

  39. Ali Ponjait October 31, 2012 at 6:07 PM #

    Now, I realized that how this is important to keep student and employee life history in the file.

  40. Awais Ali October 31, 2012 at 6:00 PM #

    Brilliant!! 🙂 inspiring !

  41. Khuram Maqsood October 31, 2012 at 5:26 PM #

    Beautiful, impressive…….
    Dont have words to describe my feelings

  42. iftikhar October 31, 2012 at 2:53 PM #

    tears, tears and tears. I am happy for the teacher and the student

  43. Ibrahim El-Osery??????? ??????? October 31, 2012 at 1:22 PM #

    It is very impressive and emotional story. I can’t stop my tears. In many cases we are responsible of the misery of our children at home and in schools.

  44. Hammad azam October 31, 2012 at 1:09 PM #

    The one he has to glow he might face eclipse for a short duration

  45. Haider.ali786 October 31, 2012 at 1:00 PM #

    Well It was really best story. I feel that I m missing someone too…

    • Ali - Admin November 2, 2012 at 3:15 PM #

      Seeing you after a long time Haider !
      Hope all is well 🙂

      • Haider.ali786 November 3, 2012 at 10:25 AM #

        Ali Every thing fine here thanks for asking I read all post daily but don’t like your new comments box that’s why I don’t comment on any post….
        Previous box was good….

        • Ali - Admin November 3, 2012 at 3:50 PM #

          We trying to work out on it.
          Can you pls tell me what is the most annoying aspect of the present commments box?

  46. Abdalla Obeidat October 31, 2012 at 12:44 PM #

    something is missing! the story didn’t finish yet, I think more to say
    just google it and I think you will find the rest of this amazing story some where
    just google the name of the medical doctor, and I guess you will be surprised.
    have fun

  47. Asadullah Salarzai October 31, 2012 at 12:09 PM #

    It is really so wounderful story. I like