A classy gesture from MIT

Parents Social Lounge
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<p>Today I received the following letter:</p>

<p>"Each year we ask students admitted to MIT to share with us the name of a teacher who has been especially influential in their development...We congratulate you on being named this year by _________.</p>

<p>"Most importantly, we thank you for the time, patience, expertise, love, discipline, and all the other qualities which have had such an important impact on your students...We at MIT are deeply grateful."</p>

<p>A very classy move by a school that doesn't need to lift a finger to attract applicants.</p>

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<p>Congratulations spoonyj! I'm happy for you. I have read of other classy actions on behalf of MIT also. There must be some good people in the heart of that school.</p>

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<p>Yale has a similar program and sends a certificate, plus a gift, to the teachers.</p>

<p>Are there any other schools that do this?</p>

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<p>Williams has something similar, called the Olmsted Award, although it's done a little differently. Graduating seniors nominate their most important teachers from high school, four of whom are selected by a committee and honored at the college graduation.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.williams.edu/admin/news/releases.php?id=978who%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.williams.edu/admin/news/releases.php?id=978who&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Congratulations, spoonyj! I hope this means the teacher my son nominated has received his letter also.</p>

<p>It's wonderful that schools do this: they are right to recognize that for many students, particular teachers are what made a substantive difference in their lives, and it's always good to recognize these contributions.</p>

<p>Congratulations, all who receive such letters!</p>

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<p>Wow, spoonyj!!!!!!!! Very, VERY cool! I think that is just a terrific thing for a college to do. Congratulations!</p>

<p>My son did not apply to MIT, but in perusing various forums on this site I've noticed that some of the staff members in various areas at MIT have started posting here and helping people out. One in particular that I noticed was a Mr. Barkowitz who heads up the finaid dept. there. He is VERY knowledgeable and helpful. I also saw a post by one of MIT's adcoms. Both of those people keep blog sites that are hugely informative and interesting. I think this is such a great thing because those types of folks can seems so remote from us parents during this stressful process. I applaud MIT enthusiastically! ~b.</p>

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<p>Some of the university of California campuses do this, my D's letter is framed on the wall of her high school :)</p>

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<p>Congratulations Spoonyj. Not just a very classy gesture by MIT, but by the student who nominated you. How wonderful to know you have made such a difference in the life of that young person. :)</p>

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<p>Congratulations! What a nice thing.</p>

<p>My alma mater isn't anywhere near as well known, but it also does this. It solicits nominations from students, and the winning high school teacher is given an award (it was $1000 in 1986; not sure what it is now) and flown to campus to receive it. I believe all teachers who are nominated are notified of the recognition from their former students, whether or not their are the top winner.</p>

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<p>I got one of those letters from MIT in today's mail, too! It made my day.</p>

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<p>At the MIT class of 2009 convocation this year ( <a href="http://web.mit.edu/amps/orientation/highlights.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://web.mit.edu/amps/orientation/highlights.html&lt;/a> ) President Susan Hockfield made a point of acknowledging teachers for all they have done. I just walked in the door ten minutes ago from a drive to MIT to deliver a Bike to my freshmnan son. It never ceases to amaze me that every time I am on that campus I can feel the energy and the excitement in the air. MIT is indeed a very classy place.</p>

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<p>Congratulations, spoonyj and wisteria! I can't think of a finer endorsement of your teaching.</p>

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<p>spoonyj & wisteria,</p>

<p>What a great validation for your hard work and dedication. </p>

<p>Being the teacher who made a difference must really feel good!!</p>

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<p>congrats spoonyj and wisteria!</p>

<p>(on another note, i believe stanford and ucsd also do this)</p>

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<p>Congrats again, spoonyj and wisteria!</p>

<p>UChicago also does something like this, and I am hoping my son's history teacher - a very wonderful person - will also be getting a letter, soon.</p>

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<p>My daughter wrote of her HS Principal who was also her English teacher. The principal sent my daughter an email yesterday to tell my daughter how touched she was by my daughter's recognition and also MIT's acknowledgement. I wholeheartedly agree that MIT is truly an amazing place. The handwritten cards (Congratulations, Christmas, Valentine's) from MIT's admissions office were absolutely treasured by my daughter last year. Daniel Barkowitz and Ben Jones along with Matt McGann are huge credits to their profession.</p>

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<p>You two definitely deserve the kudos!</p>

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<p>Congratulations-What a great feeling to know that you made a differnce in someone else's life.</p>

<p>The Univ of Miami has a similar program for Guidance Counselors.</p>

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<p>Spoonyj & Wisteria! Congrats to both of you! How lucky your kids and families are to have you both around</p>

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<p>Spoonyj and Wisteria:</p>

<p>Isn't it wonderful to have this validation of all your efforts and dedication? Congrats!
My S sent an email to his former Latin teacher to let her know he tested out of the foreign language requirement with his Latin 3. He was not the only one of her students to do well in Latin and we thought she might like to know how well her teaching prepared students for college.</p>