Dear Mr. Ginns,

I don’t blame you if you don’t remember me – well, maybe a little bit.

It was your first year at West Cessnock, and I was perhaps the most precocious in your 6th grade class. We’re talking 1980 – so 16 years ago.

I’m writing to tell you that you really stood out for me, as a teacher. You showed me a lot of encouragement, respect and appreciation. You really helped my confidence, and to believe that I was pretty good at something.

I remember asking you several times if I might get into 7-1. And you said it would have to be a very strong 7-1 to keep me out. Well – as it turns out, something kicked in around year 9, and in my final year I ended up Dux of the school.

I became an Actuary working for a big firm in New York – consulting on international super for Fortune 500 companies.

Then I quit my job to play guitar in pubs back in Australia, and now I’m a life and business coach, supporting other coaches through sale of my internet products around the world. (Web site: www.lifecoachingresource.com )

I’m based in NY again, and travel a bit for business and lifestyle – in the air right now as I write this, heading to Morocco for the Young Entrepreneurs conference – then to the Philippines to set up a new business. It’s a good life.

Thanks for seeing my potential, instead of the pain in the ass I often was. You made a big difference to me, and I can only imagine the difference you made to all the other kids you taught.

How are you doing? Still teaching? If you have access to email, you can reach me at [email deleted]

With appreciation,

David Wood