My Dearest Leslie,

I make it a policy never to tell my students how good they really are so I write to you wishing I could somehow let you know how I feel.

You walked into my classroom very different to those students already seated there, I couldn’t see how different you were but that changed over time.

You brought a bounce to the class and to your work that I’ve never seen before and it was an honour to teach you. Your essay on scuba diving was truly inspired, I have always wondered if you really had been diving or if this came from your very fertile imagination.

Your being here has changed Jesse Aarons in so many ways, he used to be very quiet just sitting back and doing the minimum of work but now he not only does the work with more verve but he also interacts with the other students. You have given him a great legacy.

I have seen your influence in other areas of the school, even to students in the seventh grade. The bullying has reduced drastically, I cannot think how you’ve achieved this.

It was with great regret I heard of your accident in the river. I have spoken to Jesse and will give him as much support as I can as I feel I understand how he feels having lost my husband.

Yours in grief,

Mrs Myers