Thank You Miss Phelps!

Today at school, I helped set up the Scholastic Book Fair. (Oh, the memories!) There's not much that has changed since I attended my first book fair in 1988 at Scott Elementary in Illinois. After all these years, the fair still springs forth from giant metal carts that hold the books and toys that defined my childhood.

I can still remember the anticipation I felt when I received the paper-thin Scholastic catalogue in homeroom. I would run home and circle all the things that I wanted to buy, begging my parents to fulfill at least one of my hearts desires. I remember devouring my very first Judy Blume book set (Fudge, Super Fudge, Double Fudge, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing). My formative years were spent pouring the pages of Ramona Forever, The Boxcar Children, The Baby Sitters Club Series, Nancy Drew, Where the Wild Things Are, Where the Sidewalk Ends, The Face on the Milk Carton, Where the Red Fern Grows, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry... the list goes on, and on.

I became humbled and nostalgic watching the little demons I teach, don halos and glow with excitement when they saw the book fair (quite literally) unfold in the school's multi-purpose room.

This nostalgia compelled me to look up my old elementary school. In doing so, I stumbled upon this recent picture of my old 3rd Grade teacher, Miss Phelps (who is still teaching at Scott Elementary). I was floored by my discovery! After nearly twenty years, I recognized her instantly. And with one glace of her photo, I was overcome by the memories of my eight year old self.

As a military brat, I attended two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. Out of all the schools I attended, there were very few teachers who stand out as meaningful, and Miss Phelps was one of them. I remember her kindness and her ability to make me feel important. She was able cultivate my love of language and reading - taking me to my first book fair.