I had this one student years ago in my 7th grade science classroom, Miranda. Miranda was not the most studious student nor did she get along well with others; however, she and I clicked. She came from troubled home and low socio economic status. At the conclusion of the year, I found a note on my science lab table addressed to me. Miranda had written me the kindest note I could ever receive. She told me I was the only one who could see the good in her and thanked me for giving her a chance. I pack this note with me and read it often. She made me feel significant and continues to remind me of the significance each time I read it.

After a seven year hiatus from this school I was rehired to be an assistant principal. I am back in the same office and building that I was prior to leaving for another job. This is a welcome change and breath of fresh air for me. Mrs. Bumps and I go way back. As a matter of fact when she was in elementary school she attended a conservation camp where I was one of her counselors. Now, SEVERAL, years later she took a chance on me to return to my old job and support her in her role as leader. She has a tough job, leading one school that is split on two campuses, several miles apart. This is an unimaginable task; but she does it with ease. This card was for “being a member of her team” but it means more to me than that. This job is a blessing and I am proud to be here to support her and make this school better than it has ever been. I told her before that I have her back and I believe she has mine. This promises to be a great year. Thank you to Donna Bumps for taking a chance on me! Year 25 has officially begun! HOORAH!

Rhonda has entered a new position within my school. She has been a Godsend to me as we look at curriculum development and alignment. Rhonda has single handedly transformed our working documents. She has taken the time to thoroughly research and apply the best technique and formats for our documents. Additionally, she took on the job of creating the master schedule for our school. This job was accepted above and beyond her current role. I cannot put into words the “headaches’ the creation of this schedule brings about. Rhonda has handled in in stride. She fields questions, makes adjustments, and continues to do so with a smile. Rhonda has proven to be an invaluable member of our team.

Ms. Pat has unknowingly become a part of our family. Ms. Pat is the owner of A Child’s Workplace in Campbellsville. My son started daycare at age 7 weeks. He is now 4 years old. Ms. Pat goes above and beyond each day to make me feel that my son is the only child in attendance at the center. My son loves Ms. Pat. I cannot imagine the day he is going to enter school and leave the center behind. Recently, he has become a bug enthusiast. Ms. Pat accepts the creatures he brings to share with an enthusiastic smile. He was afforded the opportunity to become a scolopendra expert. Ms. Pat allowed him to teach the class about the scolopendra. She took his picture with his new find and laminated it for the center. He know feels he is truly the bug expert. This small act, paid huge dividends to his self-confidence. Often, he will pet the picture and say “I miss that day”. Ms.. Pat has secured a spot in our family through her small acts. She understands his personality. She often meets him at the door to read his demeanor. If he is apprehensive, she will request his assistance with a job. That is all it takes to make him feel important and needed. Thank you for all the small acts, which shape his future in such a big way.

Barbara’s passion is to make sure that abused and neglected children get the legal representation they deserve. She has created a massive data base of legal information regarding laws that pertain to children and this information is easily accessible by attorneys, judges, case workers, etc. The information she provides helps the child advocate be better prepared to help the children.

I got it from the leader of Maine Youth Leadership, Kathy Leighton, who told us the story about Nathan. She said that each one of us has the potential to impact someone’s life, and that we all had impacted hers.

After hearing Jon’s story, I headed on vacation. When counting the cards in the deck we found at the cottage, we found that the deck was missing it’s 7 of Hearts. Someone scribbled out another card to create one. It was only right to leave Jon’s card and start it on its journey.

I had won the pinnacle award for work and was invited to a meeting where Jon Petz was the speaker. He was such an inspirational speaker. As I was listening to him speak I was trying to think of one 7 of hearts moment I had in my life. Several months after returning home to Fargo, ND I had a chance to read his book and think about the 7 of hearts moments again. I realized I have had many 7 of heart moments in my life. How do you decide which one to share? I have been blessed with a wonderful husband, 3 amazing children, 5 beautiful grandchild, which I have shared 7 of hearts moments with. I have a great job and I work with a wonderful team. I think I will have to share a time when my life was not as good as it is today, my childhood. When I turned 10 years old, my mother became very ill. She was not able to walk, feed herself or talk. Within a year she became a full vegetable and was placed in a nursing home. As you can imaging as a young girl without a mother I became very shy. I don’t think I talked until my sophomore year in high school. At that time I had met a girl who became one of my best friends in high school. I learned I had a special talent of being funny. She would tell me I could make her laugh on a bad day. From those days forward I try to make others laugh. I believe that laughter is one of the best medicines in life. If I can make people laugh or at least smile each day, then my day is complete. Even with all the horrible things that happen in life.

She has made my last four years very special. She has taught me how to discipline children with love, and to appreciate their differences. She has made me successful in a position I was not fully ready for.