Message from a fourth grader I taught in 2008.

Hi, hope you are doing fantastic!! I’m not sure if you remember me, but I had you in 4th grade at Fort Allen in oh geez when was that, 2008? You are and always have been a teacher that stands out in my memory, throughout all the teachers and all the years. Your passion for service and helping others, teaching & inspiring, and incredibly big heart will always be a core memory for me. I remember you ran the shoe drive fundraiser and my mom kept telling me “You have enough, you’re going to win, come home.” And I was just lugging trash bags around my neighborhood with old shoes at 9 years old hahaha. You stick out for all of the right reasons and you deserve to know that. To be clear, this was true prior to me hearing your truth and about your memoir. But I have more that I want to say about that now!!

I will be ordering your memoir to read, but when I saw your posts and events advertising it, I thought it would be a great time to reach out. Around college I started struggling with my sexuality. I had, and still have some, deeply embedded religious trauma and internalized homophobia. It’s much better now! I have a partner of 3 years who recently moved in with me, I have finally started bringing her to family events, stuff like that. When I saw your story, I thought about the fact that this is something you were most likely dealing with every single day, but you still showed up, you still showed out, and you still somehow managed to be one of the most impactful and memorable teachers I’ve ever had. I respect so much about you and your journey, and just know that you are helping others, maybe even people you taught throughout your career! Anyways, I wanted to get that off my heart, you deserve all of the amazing things in this world and I’m so happy for you, and proud of you, for being you! Have a wonderful day Miss Rebon!