Mr. Wright at Trump Rally

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Ivy and Good Chemistry

Ivy and Good Chemistry

Great to get your long, detailed note!

It's very good to hear how you've grown--though you have some doubts and worries.

I know that your future is bright.

And it's absolutely wonderful news that you'll be going to San Francisco State to major in chemistry.

San Francisco State is a great college. I love the atmosphere. And chemistry can be fun. Plus, you won't have to worry about getting a job.

Really great to hear from you.

My-Dung

hi mr. wright! i found you! hope you're doing well :)

<3
My-Dung --- a student from long long ago


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Long, long ago?

Only 20 years.

The Amazing My-Dung, who was the very best at everything, who almost had a heart attack during a Halloween story. The Amazing My-Dung who was liked by EVERYBODY. How? By just being herself.

I remember The Bomb.

Natural leader, original thinker, always kind.

There sure weren't many like you.

Where is Mr. Jolly's Ranch?

Where is Mr. Jolly's Ranch?
Where is Mr. Jolly's Ranch?
Where is Mr. Jolly's Ranch?

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It's at the end of Sheridan Road in Sunol. The GPS coordinates are 37.537549, -121.871749. But don't go there. It isn't safe to go where you are not wanted.

But if you're not going to listen to me, this is what you do. Travel on Calaveras Road and go through Ed Levin Park. Stay on Calaveras Road as you pass the reservoir. It's a pretty windy road. You'll pass the Sunol Water Treatment Plant and Valley Crest Tree. Then on the left there will be a road for Southland Contracting / Tutor Perini. Take that road even though it's probably private. Just act like you belong and that you're in too much of a hurry to explain.

When you get to Andrade Road, make a left. And then turn left on Sheridan Road. You'll want to take Sheridan Road until you come upon a gate that blocks the road. That's the entrance to Mr. Jolly's Ranch. But heed the signs! Don't ring the bell! Don't go past the gate! His ranch is guarded by Dobermans and they all have a bad attitude. 

If you want Jolly Ranchers, buy them at Walgreens. Don't go to Mr. Jolly's ranch. He's a grouchy old guy who sits around all day and watches Fox News and if you ask him for any Jolly Ranchers he'll either spit at you, shoot you, or tell you to get a job. 

Mr. Jolly doesn't even like me anymore. He might not even remember me. That's what happens when you get old -- sometimes.

One more thing. If you see cows, they probably aren't cows. So, you've been warned.

"Don't let school get in the way of your education."

Hey there, Mr. Wright!

I wrote you around this time last year. I hope you're still well and in good spirits like you always were. To this day, you are still my favorite English teacher. English has really lost its luster for me. The last time I truly enjoyed it was when I was in your class, to be honest. Now, it's too easy and too tedious. I was enrolled in English 2A for my Sophomore year, and we had to read Animal Farm and Catcher in the Rye. I remember you telling us we were going to have to encounter these books back in 7th grade. Dialectical journals, yuck. ANIMAL FARM MADE ME SO ANGRY BECAUSE IT'S JUST ATKJNJNOAPTSWEF. The movie for it was freaky. 

Anyway, I've decided not to take any English AP classes in the next two years. I'm staying in regular English.

I'm doing well, by the way. Mayyybe a little unfit (more like ""I'm really out of shape HAHA"") and kind of fatigued, but I'm in good spirits. High school has been a wild ride, and I have actually done worse than I ever academically have done in my entire life this year. I have to retake math classes, as I am doing right now. School is hard.

I'm currently deciding between a teaching career and pediatrics. I'd love to work with kids. My college goal is UC Davis or UC Irvine, with Santa Clara University as my back up and SJSU as a safety. 

I'm also about to enter 11th grade, a crucial year if I want to go to college. It's hard. I've gone through a lot of stress and have had to attend regular counseling sessions at school because I couldn't quite handle the pressure. I'll be the first in my family to go to college!

Also, my friends and I are starting up a new club called S.Y.N.C. (Support Youth, Nourish Communities) where we focus on raising money to aid local establishments in our community and raising awareness on issues and illnesses that many people go uneducated about. We have very high hopes for this club, and someday maybe we'll dedicate a month to Goats for Peace. 

I do miss my middle school days. Well....maybe not my middle school days as much as the people I enjoyed the company of. The memories, perhaps? 

(**NOTE: I'm SIX/TEEN/. I FEEL OLD. 7TH GRADE WAS LIKE, //FIVE YEARS AGO//.

I hope you have a wonderful rest of the year and maybe one day our paths will cross again, Mr. Wright.

--Sincerely, Ivy Tran c/o 2012"

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Hi Ivy!!!!!!!!!!!!

"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."

Yep, I liked Animal Farm and The Catcher in the Rye was the first book I read that I liked. I didn't read either for school. In the classroom I made them available, but the last thing I wanted to do is ruin them by teaching them. I hope your school experience with them didn't ruin them for you. 

I think UC Davis is wonderful. That's where I wanted my son to go but he decided to go farther away from home. Irvine I hear is pretty good and so is Santa Clara and SJSU. But Davis, oh, I like Davis.

You are the first in your family to go to college? Wow. That might add to your pressure, but I'm sure you'll do fine.

Yes, the 11th grade is the most important grade for college. Knock yourself out.

AP classes are good because of the level of students they attract but the actual curriculum is too focused on the test. I hope one of these days they will change AP. I think it kills the spirit of many fine subjects.

It warms my heart to see that you are starting that club. If you're raising money, let me know how I can make a contribution.

Pediatrics or teaching? Both are good fields that will give you meaning as well as income. Life is too short to just make money. (Last night I watched the old movie, You Can't Take it With You. I highly recommend it.) Now, as for teaching, it can be the best job in the world if you have an administration that supports rather than micromanages. Morrill had some great principals who went out of their way to do everything they could to support what I did. But there were also Morrill principals who were stupid and evil who tried very hard to have me fired. If you go into teaching, I hope you have good administrators. If you do, it can be absolutely the most rewarding job in the world. Oh, but in case you didn't know, it's very hard work and the hours are long. Oh, and I used to love it because I could take home chalk to draw on the sidewalk with my son, but I understand they don't use chalkboards anymore. The chalkboard in my classroom was the last one at Morrill. Soon after I retired, they replaced it with a white board.

I'm very pleased to hear from you. 

Keep me posted on the story of your life.

Adam asks about the hobo life

 Wanted to see if you were still pursuing your career as a HOBO. Hope to see you on 5th street very soon.

Adam Gonzales

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Ah, yes. It’s going well.

The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is take a nap.

I don’t iron my shirts and I don’t use bleach when I wash my socks.

How are you doing?

I hope you are still creative and disobedient.

"Don’t let school get in the way of your education."

"Don’t follow leaders.
Watch your parking meters."

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There's the Mr. Wright I miss. HAHAHAHA. But, seriously where are you staying? How have you been? Did you move out of state? country? Highschool is going okay, I guess. Grades are kicking my butt still just like Middle School. Lol. Have a good day Mr. Wright. You are one of the reasons I actually want to pay attention in English class but, there will never be a class that will make me as happy and responsive like yours did. Thanks again Mr. Wright! Hope to see you soon.

Adam Gonzales

Little Boxes

Mr. Wright,

I was a History/English student of yours at Morrill in 1993. You also taught me and a handful of others how to develop film in that tiny room behind our class after school. I was a C student on a good day. But you shocked me at our 8th grade commencement with a writing award.

Anyways. I saw in the news that Pete Seeger passed away this morning. I'm not a fan. But his song "Little Boxes" always reminds me of you and your class. You played it several times and let us discuss its meaning. That was a thought-provoking lesson and obviously left a lasting impression.

You were an awesome teacher and I was lucky to have crossed your path. I’m just sorry it took more than 20 years and the death of a folk musician to get around to thanking you.

I hope and trust this message finds you good spirits and fine health.

V/r,

Kevin Powers
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Hi Kevin!

Wow. Those were good days. Thank you reminding me. Good memories like that help balance out the bad memories of a couple of butt-head principals that came later.

I loved developing film and printing photographs and it was wonderful to share that with others.

A C student getting a writing award? Yep, some really good writers were D and F students too.

I'm glad you remembered Little Boxes and I hope nobody has put you into one. 

Thank you for writing. You made my day.