The last school year of the millennium has begun and, though the story has been told many times, I want to tell it again:

Mrs. Johnson stood before her fifth grade class on the first day of school and made the usual comments about her expectations for the coming year. As always she promised to love all her students equally. Even as the words rolled off her lips she knew that would be impossible because there sat disheveled little Tommy right in the front row, slumped down in his seat, the very picture of indifference.

As the days passed Mrs. Johnson observed how Tommy would not play well with others. His clothes were seldom clean and he frequently needed a bath. Being around Tommy was unpleasant.

In only a few weeks, Mrs. Johnson began taking pleasure in the X's she boldly marked on his papers and even greater pleasure in the big F she so often wrote at the top of his work. It's just one school year, she thought. I can do anything for nine months.

Every year teachers at the school were required to review each child's past records. Mrs. Johnson put off looking at little Tommy's records until last.

It was after Thanksgiving before she finally opened his file to find the following:

First grade: Tommy is a bright child. Neat and mannerly. Does his class work well and plays well with others.

Second grade: Tommy is an excellent student. Well-liked by all. His mother's illness is starting to take its toll though. He is struggling.

Third grade: His mom's death has been hard on Tommy. He is still trying to perform well, but his father takes little interest. I am concerned.

Fourth grade: Tommy is withdrawn. He has few friends. Shows little interest in his assignments and frequently sleeps in class.

Mrs. Johnson laid the file aside and hung her head in shame. How wrong she was to have made her judgement without having more information. The holidays were approaching and she began to wonder what she could do for him.

But it was Tommy who would do for her.

On the last day of school, before the holiday break, the kids brought presents to their teacher. All were festively wrapped except Tommy's. She released the string from the clumsy brown grocery bag paper that held his offering to find a rhinestone bracelet with missing stones and a half empty bottle of perfume.

She hastily stifled the laughter of the other children by exclaiming how beautiful the bracelet was. She put it on and held it out for all to see, then dabbed on a bit of perfume as little Tommy glowed. He stayed after school that day to say, “Mrs. Johnson, today you smelled just like my mom used to smell.”

When he was gone the teacher cried. On that unforgettable Friday Mrs. Johnson resolved to stop teaching reading, writing and arithmetic, and teach children instead.

After the holidays Mrs. Johnson followed her resolution. She had tried to ignore Tommy during the first semester, but now she would give him extra attention. By year's end he was her star pupil.

Twelve months later as another summer vacation approached, Mrs. Johnson found a note under her door, “I did good again this year, but you are the best teacher I ever had.”

Six years later she heard from Tommy again, “I graduated from high school with honors. Thank you for being the best teacher I ever had.”

Four years passed before she would read the next note, “It's been tough, but I finished college with the highest of honors. Thanks again for being the best teacher I ever had.”

Still another four years passed. This time the note simply stated, “You are still the best teacher I ever had.” It was signed, Thomas. J. Smith, M.D.

Later that same year there was a phone call from Dr. Smith. He called to tell his favorite teacher about his plans to be wed. He spoke of his dad's recent death and asked if she would attend his wedding and sit in the pew of honor where his mom would be if she had lived.

Mrs. Johnson showed up at the wedding smelling like little Tommy's mom used to smell, and wearing the most beautiful bracelet she had ever owned. When the ceremony was over the groom hugged his former teacher and said, “You believed in me. You made me feel important. Thank you for being the best teacher I ever had.”

With tears in her eyes she whispered, “Tommy, it is I who should thank you. I did not know how to teach until I met you.”

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