Anyone that is a teacher knows what it feels like to have a busy and stressful day at school where it feels like nothing is going your way. Today I had one of those days. With it being the second day of school, the prospect of a full school year ahead already had me feeling down and out.

Then I got home. And on my porch were two large packages.

Before I continue, I want to provide some background information. Never doing an exchange like this before, I had put in a bunch of things in my request. I mentioned that I worked in a low-income school, that I was a Physics teacher, and that our science department didn't have a large budget. I also mentioned that students are issued iPads and that I just wanted to provide my students with some really cool lab materials/apps that they could use to understand the world around them. After I submitted my request, I saw the suggested spending limit and knew that I had asked for too much. I felt guilty but left the requests in, hoping that someone would be paired with me that could help my students out and help me make a difference.

Once I was paired with chosai_angel, she messaged me asking some questions regarding iPad apps and the handheld generators I had put down for my AP Physics class. Messages continued to go back and forth until she mentioned that she had sent some packages and that I should expect them in 3 weeks time. One of the last things she messaged me was this:

This is my 3 year doing this exchange and by far it is one of the most rewarding process I have ever participated in. I came from a poor family so I understand how frustrated students and teachers can get. I may not have sent enough for all 180 students but I hope that I sent/send will help ease the burden. Some of the more simple supplies have been donated from some wonderful people I work with and I will be sharing your kind words with them.

Back to this evening. 2 boxes were waiting on the porch. I got them both inside, opened them, and ... I was speechless.

I know it is corny to say, but words really don't do that feeling justice. I know some of you have felt that feeling; it is a mixture of happiness and gratitude, of pride and hope, of emotion and even a small twinge of guilt. I am not extraordinary. It is hard for me to comprehend why some nice person I don't know would help me and my students out so much.

But chosai_angel? My wonderful Santa? She is extraordinary. She purchased 12 handheld generators that I could use in my class. I can have students connect 3 to 4 together and FEEL what power and work is. It helps them understand the concept much more than a lousy problem in a lousy textbook. Her and her co-workers also provided me with every school supply imaginable. There are students in my class that cannot afford basic supplies; now I can be the person that helps them out. There are also a bunch of rocket-shaped pens that will be perfect to give out when we learn Universal Gravitation and Kepler's Laws. Markers, post-it notes. Things that I can give to the kid that goes above and beyond or to the kid that just needs a break. As I mentioned above, I had told my Santa about the students having iPads. Chosai_angel gave me eight $15 iTunes gift cards that I can use to purchase classroom sets of iPad apps for my students. All of these things, purchased by a stranger for me to use in my classroom to better the education of students.

Inside the last box was something truly special. Amongst the various school supplies was a note from chosai_angel. It was signed by her and some co-workers that contributed items to the gift. I have included a picture of the note below but I find the words so powerful and so special that I am going to write it here. The note says this:

"Everybody wants to rule the world..."

Alex, To the teacher who wishes to inspire and lead his students to the top, I hope that with these gifts we can help you help the future generation to do just that. Lead them to rule the world, and rule their lives.

Thank you for changing lives.*

Below that are some nice personal messages from chosai_angel and her co-workers.

This letter encapsulates what I believe this whole exchange is about. This letter means so much to me, and I have no idea how I can ever thank chosai_angel enough. I hope that this public display of gratitude will somewhat display how forever grateful I will be for this kind gift. Next year, I have decided that I will join the other side and help out a fellow teacher and give them something for their classroom.

Above everything, I learned that this program can provide something very few other things can to a teacher; hope. Tonight I go to bed excited to bring these things to school and share them with my students. I'm excited to use these materials to make an impact in my students' lives. Hours earlier I was down and defeated and now I am filled with this amazing feeling.

Thank you chosai_angel. For everything.