Vassar Elementary School third grade teacher Nancy Taphorn understands the value of a hand-written letter in today’s tech-driven society. Every winter and summer break, she mails her third-grade students personalized thank you cards brimming with words of encouragement and praise. Wonderfully, this small gesture changed the course of one student’s life forever.
When nine-year-old A.J. read Taphorn’s words, “I am proud of you - so proud of you and who you are. The future is bright and I can't wait to see all that you accomplish,” he took it to heart. According to his mother, A.J. now firmly believes that he has a bright future simply because his teacher said so.
In just one year under Taphorn’s wings, A.J. developed a deeper sense of confidence and empowerment that helped him unveil a treasure – his gifted mind. With Taphorn’s encouragement, A.J. passed tests to begin the 2014-15 school year as a gifted and talented student in the APS AGATE program. The program will expose A.J. to an array of opportunities that recognize his individual strengths and interests and challenge him to maximize his potential.
APS thanks Taphorn for accelerating learning in a unique and personable way.