Touching Tribute: Their Impact: Let Them Know

Renard M. Johnson
Brief Bio

The Museum of Teaching and Learning has permission to share a special message with readers. It is a letter that was written by Renard Johnson and it is copied below, right after a brief introduction. Perhaps it will inspire you to share your reflections with someone, because . . . it is never too late.


Twenty-eight years ago, Renard graduated from Alan B. Shepherd High School, a large public school that serves several diverse communities on the southwest edge of Chicago. He grew up in Robbins, IL within a family that suffered from a variety of difficulties, sometimes traumatic. In the intervening years, he married and had two children with his wife who now lives elsewhere after their separation.


Despite the turmoil and upsets in his life, and a temperament that was, according to Renard, sometimes “rebellious,” he stayed the course through multiple certification programs in exercise, nutrition, and massage therapy to become a licensed personal trainer. He is able to work with clients in his home town of Chicago, as well as from other cities across the U.S., for he conducts his one-on-one sessions remotely on FaceTime. He is self-employed, but he also works as an associate at a local gym.


In a conversation with one of his clients (who happens to be an educator and a MOTAL supporter), Renard was chatting about a teacher who made a big difference in his life at a critical time in his teen years. He recalled her name—Chiquita Davis. “She believed in me and she always talked to me, sometimes to set me straight like the time she talked me out of punching the guy who pushed my face into the drinking fountain. And at other times to make me feel appreciated and respected. She showed up at my games when I was playing football and let me know how I’d done a good job. She even attended Parent Night as a substitute one time.”


Renard, in the fall of 2021, had this answer to the inquiry “Did you ever tell her what a difference she made?” was “No. I wonder where she is?”


“Well, it’s never too late to find out, right?”


His search was quite short. He went back to his high school for the first time in almost thirty years and was pleased to find several people who still remembered Ms. Davis. She had, however, passed away just a few years earlier. Nevertheless, Renard decided to write a draft of the following letter. He shared it with a friend and recalled that Ms. Davis, his Language teacher, had taught him that his writing didn’t have to “go on and on,” so he decided to cut a lot out.


Even though Chiquita Davis can no longer receive this letter of appreciation, Renard feels great being able to write again, after being away from personal writing for a long time. He plans to make copies to share with people at their school to honor her memory.
Dear Ms. Davis,

So much space and time has separated us since High School, but I wanted you to know that I remember you as my Language teacher, somewhat of a mother figure for me. I never really understood the golden nuggets you were planting in my mind that helped me in situations in life that I could never have planned for moving forward after high school. The world can be tough, cruel, ungrateful at times, but I’ve learned to keep it moving and help others, like you helped me. I can tell you that college was awesome, but with no guidance it’s challenging and difficult. One of the best decisions for me, freshman year in college was walking away from something that I loved, but didn’t love me back. I found peace with myself in between time, and I’ve won and lost battles, but never gave up in the process. You’ve helped me stay strong, focused, unwavering about core principles. Also most important is love myself first, take care of my health. I know I’ve been a challenge, and I’ve heard you say that you’re done, finished with me because of my stubbornness. But you never gave up on me and so I’ve never given up on myself. I thank you for seeing my potential, giving me unconditional love and support that I needed. I wish to give you your flowers in person, but I’ve always talked highly, respectful about my little tough English teacher Ms. Davis. Well, I can go on forever, but you always said Renard please get to the point, stop wasting breath, lol, so just wanted you to know that my passion, love, respect, and honor run deep for you. I love all you have taught me,


Thank you,
Renard
 
Quote
“Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story."
- Josh Shipp

Guest author Renard M. Johnson has always had a love for sports and fitness. As a child he played baseball, football, and ran track. In high school, however, he was hit by a van and injured his right leg. He altered his dreams of being in sports to enter the field of construction as a brick layer and blueprint reader. When a job slowdown affected his work, he began classes through the National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) to become a personal trainer. He came to realize that the key to helping someone get healthy is to help them rehabilitate from past injuries and prevent new ones. His goal is to create a pyramid of health for his clients. As a trainer, he uses teaching strategies that include encouragement and practices that suit the needs of individual clients.