Teacher appreciation week concluded on a remarkable high note as the Helpful Honda people arrived at Dale Junior High School to surprise me with an astounding $5000 worth of school supplies. This delightful surprise was made possible thanks to my wife’s nomination and the strong recommendation from my principal. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the surprise unfolded during the middle of 3rd period. Coincidentally, I wasn’t engaged in active instruction at that moment, as I had chosen to show a captivating documentary on Leonardo Da Vinci to my students.
When the camera crew arrived, my principal initially informed me that the district was there to film a video. Being quick on my feet, I improvised a lesson on the spot to ensure the footage would be useful. Although I’m known for my sarcasm in the classroom, I understood the need to convey genuine appreciation without overwhelming the students. Admittedly, I felt a bit awkward in front of the camera amidst all the excitement caused by the Helpful Honda people’s arrival. It was cool showing them my Charmander tattoo when they asked me if I liked Pokemon.
Nonetheless, I am immensely grateful for the generosity of the $5000 worth of school supplies they presented. The supplies included iPads, flexible seating arrangements, graphic drawing tablets for the Chromebooks, and other essential materials that will undoubtedly enhance future learning experiences. This unexpected windfall will undoubtedly benefit both myself and my students. My students joined in on the fun by pretending to like me during the course of the video and cheering for me in the process. I will of course will forever be grateful to Honda and will be a loyal customer forever now, thinking of this very day everytime I drive my car anywhere.
The surprise continued as they conducted an extensive 30-minute interview afterward. To add to the excitement, my dear friend Winfred even traveled all the way from Temecula to be featured in the video. With fingers crossed, we eagerly anticipate the final edited commercial, which I will proudly share here in a few weeks once it’s complete.
Ultimately, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Katherine for her thoughtful nomination and express my appreciation to the wonderful colleagues who joined in on this surprise. Although the future remains uncertain regarding my next teaching position, I am grateful that my time at Dale Junior High School has concluded on such a positive and memorable note.
You’re welcome. It’s our job to be helpful.