Unexpected Thank Yous When Former Students Reach Out | S1E8

Send us Fan MailRebecca Johnson’s story shows the bittersweet reality so many educators face. The same week she was honored as Teacher of the Year, she also received a reduction-in-force notice. After years of tutoring struggling students before and after school, she left education altogether—only to later receive a call that changed everything. A mother shared that her once-struggling son had become his class valedictorian, a reminder to Rebecca that her efforts had left a lasting mark even when she doubted their impact.Her years in Indianapolis Public Schools were full of both sacrifice and small triumphs. With frozen salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of supplies, Rebecca often used her own money to make learning meaningful—buying pencils, numbering them individually, even purchasing kites so her first graders could write from real experience. Leaving a profession she dreamed of since childhood was painful, but she emphasizes there’s no single right path. Whether teachers stay decades or step away earlier, their ripple effects are real and lasting—even if they never fully get to see the results.Step into growth and purpose! Discover my books and resources designed to help you lead, learn, and live with impact.✨ Click here: https://t-sml.mtrbio.com/public/smartlink/toolsforsuccess//AboutCathy Tooley is the Founder & CEO of Tools for Success and a seasoned educator with over 40 years in K–12 classrooms and school leadership. From high school teacher to principal, Cathy has dedicated her life to supporting educators. In 2014, she launched Tools for Success to provide real, in-person instructional coaching—not just “PD in a box.” She’s the author of The Education System Is Broken, a national speaker, and a fierce advocate for teachers. Through this podcast, she’s spotlighting the ripple effect of great teaching. 🔗 Website | YouTube | Facebook | LinkedIn