An Open Letter from Jakob Duehr to His Students

Dear Kids,

You found me. Through your Googling skills, you were able to stumble upon this post. Now that you're here, you might as well take the time to read it.

I know I've told you this many times, but I'll say it again. I did not go to school to become a substitute teacher. That said, though I'm not in my dream job, I enjoy my job. I have you to thank for that. You guys make the job. Sure, sometimes you drive me crazy, but I am young enough to remember the times I may have driven my teachers a little crazy myself. Each day with you is a new adventure, and I truly want to see all of you succeed not only in the classroom but in life as well. I have no doubts that you will.

I say that first because it is the good news before the bad news. I know many of you have found my Facebook. After nearly two years of privacy, you found me. A small part of me wishes I could accept each and every one of you, but I can't. District policy clearly tells me that I cannot.

You may have other teachers who do accept you. What they do is not my business. I can only worry about myself, and I have to follow the rules. This is my career, and I refuse to sabotage my career our of stubbornness. I understand that this decision may destroy the image many of you had for me as the young, rebellious guy who does and says what he wants when he wants. If you've read my other stuff, you probably realize I've never truly been that guy. I've never been that cool. The me you think you know and the me that exists after 3:15 are probably two very different people.

I say this all to tell you that as flattered as I am that you love me, I cannot reciprocate this love in a social networking way. If I run into you somewhere in Orland or Tinley, feel free to approach me, bother me, or talk my ear off. I enjoy hearing about your lives and the good you're doing with it. If I really matter that much to you, wait four years and add me then (even though by then I'll be older and significantly less cool). You guys are the best, and I not only want but expect you to succeed.

All the best,

"Mr. D."