The Reading Fairy

I've been waiting to make this post...and I just can't wait any longer. My students get frequent visits from the Tooth Fairy and the Desk Fairy (Deskerina) throughout the year. At the end of each year, I have a Reading Celebration with my students. It is an opportunity for my students to sing a few songs, showcase some of their work and read to small groups of special visitors (parents, grandparents, siblings).

This year something incredibly exciting happened to me at our Reading Celebration! Right before my celebration started, my principal asked me if he could have a few minutes to speak during the celebration.  Since he is the boss, I decided that handing over the microphone was a good idea. He also said he wanted to give me something. Fishy. I agreed, but reminded him that it would be completely inappropriate to give me one of those pink slip things in front of all the students/guests. He laughed (thank goodness - oy me and my big mouth). 

The Reading Fairy (yep, the real one) visited my principal with a special delivery for ME! 

The delivery was a letter from the Reading Fairy, which my principal read in front of all of my students and the 74 visitors. My principal read the letter, while I cried.  I could barely concentrate on the oh so super nice words he was saying because the letter was covered in sparkly fairy dust (and I was crying).  My students stared at him as he read with big eyes and their mouths dropped open.   I'm pretty sure they were just as excited as me about the letter.  What other proof could we need that there are really fairies watching over us? 

When my principal finished reading the letter, he handed me a check (a BIG one) and the microphone.  I was just about speechless (and still crying) from the letter.  I honestly felt a little overwhelmed by the check at first.  My first thought was that the Reading Fairy must be the result of a group gift kind of collection, so I thanked the "Reading Fairy" at least 7 times and then just stood there crying with my hand on my heart before I handed the microphone back to my student presenters.  Such a thoughtful, generous, incredibly sweet, unforgettable surprise. Honestly, it was definitely one of the highlights of my teaching career. 

I walked around wondering who could be responsible for the lucky Reading Fairy visit (and begging my principal to tell me) for a few days.  But, he wouldn't budge.  He would only tell me that it was a special surprise from one of my current families.  I will always remember their kindness and how excited my students were to discovery yet another fairy. :) 

I've been waiting to make this post, until I had a chance to do some shopping.  The letter suggested that I should use the money to buy some books and supplies for my classroom.  Hmmmm...shopping and books...turns out the Reading Fairy is my kind of girl!

In the past two weeks, I started carefully selecting books for my classroom.  Some of the books I selected were mentor texts for reader's workshop, writer's workshop and math mini lessons.  I also bought some chapter books that I will use for read aloud time and a variety of leveled books to add to my community bins.  I also ordered several character education books and some books for the fairytale unit that I am working on.

My fairytale books and some of the character education books are still on the way.  And...I'm not finished shopping yet.  What an amazing surprise!  I am so grateful for this thoughtful gift.  For me, the Reading Fairy is another reminder that I should have faith (my olw).  Most families really do recognize and appreciate all that we do as teachers.