Open letter to Mica´s amazing Kindergarten teacher: Miss Katie Piggott

Dear Miss Piggott,

My daughter has five days left in her kindergarten career. Which means she only has 10.35 hours left with you. And while this might be cause for a party on her side because she is so ready for vacations and her so expected trip to the States, my gut response is to fall at your feet and embrace your ankles because I am so not ready for you not to be her teacher anymore.

I’ll never forget the fear, apprehension, and worry that accompanied me when I walked her into your classroom on August last year. For her it was a huge change, a completely new language, and a whole new world. How could you possibly get her ready for first grade in just nine months?

You won my heart and gained my confidence right away the day I got one of your first notes. "I have noticed that Mica eats more during recess than lunchtime so how about I switch her meals so that she would eat some more at school", you wrote. I was so happy to see that you cared so much for my Mica that you would even worry if she ate enough or not.

Since then it’s been Class Dojo messages and emails about her progress and other daily, and important, events. Finding her first tooth when she almost lost it (cause you didn't want her to lose it like you lost yours) and helping her every time she struggled. Laughing at the stories she tells and helping her develop her creative self. Making sure I knew what she loves to play, and telling me often that she’s a great kid is just a little list of all you have done for my Mica this year.

You call her one of “your kiddos” and watch over her as if she were your own.

Because of you she can read letters. And words. And sentences. She loves Science and Bible stories. She can write. She can sing so many beautiful new songs. She can do math and follow directions. She can draw hearts, flowers, stars, and much more... everywhere. Because of you she feels safe and secure in the classroom and looks forward to going there. Because of you she has a love for learning. And strong confidence that she can as long as she tries.

Even without seeing her final report card, just by seeing all the progress she’s made I know that your influence is obvious around this house. You are the Grand Chief of knowledge and she thinks she can win any argument simply by saying, “Miss Piggott says so!".

They say it takes “someone special” to be a teacher – or to work with children in general – but I think that’s a gross understatement. It takes someone noble and selfless to literally give herself to her job, to her students. It takes someone brave and strong and courageous to shield her students from harm’s way, with disregard for her own personal safety, to think about comforting and protecting her young charges rather than own well-being. It takes someone committed and passionate to come in every day, regardless of how sick or tired you may feel sometimes, administrative dispositions, and other external distractions, and teach our children to love God as well as the fundamentals that will shape their future.

Miss Piggott, how can I ever repay you? I have no idea but I’ll offer what I can... my undying devotion and forever words of appreciation. They are yours.

Nothing could mean more to me than someone investing time and loving my girl. You opened the world to my daughter and now I am one your biggest fans!

Thank you forever and ever,

Cynthia