Teacher slipped sticky notes with drawings under a silent student’s desk every day — two years later, a sticky note in his own mail left him sobbing
Most teachers never realize just how much they change a student's world. Matt Eicheldinger, a teacher and an author, shared how quiet, consistent gestures helped a completely silent student feel seen and supported. In an Instagram video posted on October 28, 2025, under the handle @matteicheldinger, he explained that the child never spoke a single word in class, leaving him unsure of how to reach the student. Instead of forcing conversation, he chose a gentle approach. Each school day, he placed a sticky note with a small drawing or short message under the student’s desk, never knowing if it made any difference. Two years later, he received a single sticky note in the mail expressing the student’s heartfelt gratitude.
Eicheldinger recalled, “Years ago I had this kid who wouldn’t speak, and when I say wouldn’t speak, I mean not at all, not one word.” He admitted he felt completely unprepared as a teacher, saying, “I never felt so ill-equipped… I had no tools for this situation.” Meetings were held with parents, counselors, and psychologists, but nothing changed; the student remained silent throughout the year. Despite the challenges, Eicheldinger continued leaving notes every day, hoping the routine might help the child feel a connection, even if they never responded. He would occasionally draw cartoons or jot down a short message on the sticky notes, but what never wavered was his dedication to leaving one every single day.
Then two years later, an envelope arrived in the mail, and inside was a single sticky note. It read, “I saved all your sticky notes. Thank you so much, you helped me more than you know.” Eicheldinger described the moment as overwhelming, saying, “That’s kind of what’s hard about teaching… You never get to know your impact. Most of the time, you never get to know.” Reflecting on the experience, he said it showed the unseen impact teachers had on their students. “I guarantee you, whatever you are doing, even the small things like a sticky note, they probably made a huge difference,” he added.
A good teacher can leave a lasting impact on a person’s life and be remembered for years, as shown in another heartwarming story. When actor Sheryl Lee Ralph was a young girl, she faced racism and exclusion at school, often feeling isolated and unsupported by her peers and teachers. Her sense of belonging grew when her teacher, Ms. Spencer, stepped in with a small but meaningful gesture. Ralph recalled, “This young woman held my hand… no matter what your color was, that just spoke volumes to me.” The simple act of kindness gave her a sense of safety, acceptance, and confidence that stayed with her for decades. Ralph later said, “I can still feel it to this day. I am left-handed, and I can still feel it and see where I stood with that teacher.”
For more videos, you can follow @matteicheldinger on Instagram.