A GIFT OF LOVE TO AN OLD, RETIRED TEACHER

 by CLIFF JACOBSON

A hug from Clint, one of the "Boys" in our first year WE Program.

In my “past life,” I was a science teacher.  For thirty-five years (five in Indiana, thirty at Hastings Middle School in Minnesota). Yikes!  At Hastings, two colleagues and I developed a program for “at risk” students that had amazing results.  It was called “Wilderness Experience"(WE).  Funded by the local Lion’s Club, it lasted a decade. 

WE was similar to the Minnesota Outward Bound program that took kids canoeing in the Boundary Waters, but with a big difference: Our program was run by classroom teachers, not by professional OB guides who disappeared after the trip.  

The "Boys" gave me this beautiful, engraved paddle.

When OB participants returned to their schools after the canoe trip, they usually went back to their old bad habits, whereas few of our kids did. Why? Because the same teachers that guided their canoe trip, were the ones they had in class—teachers that they had earlier disrespected but now admired.

During the canoe trip trip, we developed a deep bond of friendship and love which followed into the classroom and lasted into adulthood. Nearly all our "kids" showed positive changes in attitude… and grades, when they returned to school. 

I retired from teaching in 2001. I have received letters, emails or calls from many of them almost every year.

Dan and Marisa. Our meeting at the St. James Hotel, Redwing, MN.

After the canoe trip and back at school, we had a special WE class that met twice a week.  We listened to concerns, counseled, helped with homework, and gave hugs. We cared, and they knew it. There were projects that took weeks to complete: the boys built paddles and snowshoes which they got to keep. We teachers became their friends. They became ours. For life!

The "boys" signing their name on the back of the paddle.

A few weeks ago, I received an email from Dan Finley, one of our WE boys from a long time ago.  He, and his significant other, Marisa Schilling (she's wonderful!), wanted to thank me for being there for Dan in those early days. They invited Susie and I for lunch at the beautiful St. James Hotel in Redwing, MN.  Afterwards there was a surprise meeting at a local park with two former WE boys. There were hugs all around, and so much thankfulness and love that I was embarrassed, though I tried not to show it.

The “boys” told me many stories about how WE had changed their lives.  Dan presented me with a beautiful, engraved paddle, which each boy—now a man—signed on the back. They said others would be coming forward to sign it. This treasured gift now hangs proudly in my living room.  This was one of the most emotional moments of my life.

Thank you for letting me share this happy event with you.

Cliff

The "Boys" grew up to be wonderful, loving men. Just ask their wives!

XXX