A Pot of Gold for Mrs. H

The baby’s amazing teacher is retiring at the end of the school year. She’s truly been the pot of gold at the end of our school’s rainbow. I really just can’t say enough good things about her. Not only does she teach the curriculium, but she goes so far above and beyond that. She teaches manners. She teaches them how to make a proper introduction. She teaches them not to open their lunch boxes until the entire class is seated in the cafeteria. It’s life lessons like these that will stay with them long after kindergarten. To celebrate her retirement, Mrs. H is going on a trip to Ireland!!! Along with the other room moms and assistant teacher, we planned a fun bon voyage retirement party for her on Sunday afternoon. We presented her with a “Pot of Gold”. It’s a note pad of sweet thoughts from her students with crisp $5 bills in between that she can tear out and use on her trip.

 

I sent home letters and sent out emails a few weeks back with questions for the kids. I asked parents to write down exactly what their student said – not worrying too much if it made sense or sounded silly. I wanted the memories to be in the voice of Mrs. H’s kindergarteners! The answers that came back were just as sweet as can be and the love that these kids had for their teacher showed in every single one. I knew she was outstanding, but it was completely moving to read what the little ones had to say. Here are some favorites…

As she spends her bills, she will be reminded of all of the reasons she’s loved and will never be forgotten. And once they are all peeled out and gone, she will be left with a little book of memories from a class that loved her to pieces.

Now, as far as how to make the book, here’s the gist:
1. Collect quotes. Send out letters and emails with your questions for the kids. Here is my list:

• The thing I will miss most about Mrs. H is
• Mrs. H loves me because
• I love Mrs. H because
• This year Mrs. H taught me
• This year, I taught Mrs. H
• One thing I will never forget about Mrs. H is
• Mrs. H lives
• Mrs. H loves
• My advise for Mrs. H in retirement is
• In retirement, Mrs. H will probably

2. Collect money. This was obviously optional and the amount was totally up the parents. Some parents wanted to do their own gift, contribute less and do both, or chose not to contribute at all, WHICH IS FINE! I still asked that they send back the answers to the questions. The fact that we collected $400 is a testament in and of itself to how amazing this lady is! I had intended to do this with $1 bills until we had so much!!!
3. Exchange your wads of old crumpled cash and checks for new bills or “clean” bills. This may be easier said than done. If your bank can’t get new bills, get more than you need and pick out the good ones. Mother also suggested that I could iron the bills. Well, seeing as I really don’t even iron my clothes I certainly wasn’t going to be ironing money.

4. I measured my bills and printed and cut eighty of the collected quotes on vellum. I also made front and back covers.

5. Make your notepad. After stacking alternating quotes and money and adding a front and back cover, I also added an extra front and back cover to tear off once it was all done. You will need to order a bottle of padding compound. I used this one – Notepad Padding Compound – but it is currently unavailable. This one should work the exact same way – Notepad Padding Compound. I carefully aligned the edges of my stack and Honey used two clamps to clamp it together tightly. Then I simply applied 4 generous coats of the padding compound, letting it dry between each layer. Once it was totally dry, I used washi tape to make it more decorative and further secure it.

Needless to say, it brought Mrs. H to tears. I know I got teary myself a few times while I was making it. The words of her class truly conveyed their love for her. An amazing teacher will stay with them forever. We had a beautiful afternoon for her celebration…

She is one that will be missed.
xoxo