Maybe there really are no words to describe certain feelings

Yesterday I went to the Eric Carle Museum to hear my former students read from their mentor projects. I had these students in fall '08. We've been pretty good at keeping in touch, but I didn't know what pieces they chose to pursue with their mentors. It was a thrill to discover that 9 out of the 12 projects were started in our class.

The students read beautifully, with care and deep consideration. Sitting in the audience, you could feel how alive and precious the characters had become to each...