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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jul/16/most-inspiring-lesson-a-teacher-ever-taught-lancashire-letter-viral
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| What's the most inspiring lesson a teacher ever taught you? | What's the most inspiring lesson a teacher ever taught you? |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The headteacher of a Lancashire primary school has become an unlikely social media star after a heartfelt letter she wrote to pupils went viral. | The headteacher of a Lancashire primary school has become an unlikely social media star after a heartfelt letter she wrote to pupils went viral. |
| Just spoke to Barrowford school in Nelson: they are bowled over by how this wonderful letter to pupils has gone viral pic.twitter.com/3tHoJPmWIg | Just spoke to Barrowford school in Nelson: they are bowled over by how this wonderful letter to pupils has gone viral pic.twitter.com/3tHoJPmWIg |
| Head Rachel Tomlinson, along with another member of staff, wrote the letter to children at Barrowford school in Nelson, near Burnley. The letter said the school was "very proud" of their effort in the Key Stage 2 (KS2) tests, but went on: "We are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique. | Head Rachel Tomlinson, along with another member of staff, wrote the letter to children at Barrowford school in Nelson, near Burnley. The letter said the school was "very proud" of their effort in the Key Stage 2 (KS2) tests, but went on: "We are concerned that these tests do not always assess all of what it is that make each of you special and unique. |
| "The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you – the way your teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that many of you speak two languages. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day." | "The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you – the way your teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that many of you speak two languages. They do not know that you can play a musical instrument or that you can dance or paint a picture. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day." |
| Since the letter was picked up around the world, some Twitter users pointed out the letter's similarity to a research paper written by an American teacher and academic, Kimberley A Hurd. The school has since tweeted to say her blog was the inspiration for the letter: | |
| I think we may have found the blog that was the inspiration for our letter to Year 6 http://t.co/MonRDUCshL @khurdhorst | |
| Our readers were impressed: | Our readers were impressed: |
| What a tender and genuine letter that actually considers the emotional and psychological side of education in human beings who are still in a crucial stage of developing (we hopefully should never stop doing so) into adults. | What a tender and genuine letter that actually considers the emotional and psychological side of education in human beings who are still in a crucial stage of developing (we hopefully should never stop doing so) into adults. |
| It's heartening to read. | It's heartening to read. |
| How brilliant, yet so simple. The message will resonate with any and is a reminder to all that we are all humans to be valued - regardless of our exam results. | How brilliant, yet so simple. The message will resonate with any and is a reminder to all that we are all humans to be valued - regardless of our exam results. |
| Some young people may not get that encouragement at home sadly, so it is a reminder that they matter and are special. The sentiments of that letter will never be forgotten by those who received it and they may take that forward and shape generations to come based on them. | Some young people may not get that encouragement at home sadly, so it is a reminder that they matter and are special. The sentiments of that letter will never be forgotten by those who received it and they may take that forward and shape generations to come based on them. |
| What a fine teacher. | What a fine teacher. |
| Everyone has had at least one inspiring teacher in their lives. As it's coming up to the end of the school year and in honour of the response to Tomlinson's letter, we would like to know the most inspiring words of wisdom imparted to you by your favourite teacher. | Everyone has had at least one inspiring teacher in their lives. As it's coming up to the end of the school year and in honour of the response to Tomlinson's letter, we would like to know the most inspiring words of wisdom imparted to you by your favourite teacher. |
| Was there a time when their advice truly impacted you as you were growing up, or even later in life? | Was there a time when their advice truly impacted you as you were growing up, or even later in life? |
| Let us know in the comments below, and we'll feature the best stories above the line. | Let us know in the comments below, and we'll feature the best stories above the line. |
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