September 24th, 2011
Dear NASA,
My name is Jamie Flatley and I am a 4th grade teacher in a small town in
Southwest Florida called Immokalee. Immokalee, which means “my home” is the
residence of 18 beautiful children-my students. Although most of them live in poverty,
lack half the basic needs of a child their age and are faced with cultural transitions as
migrant workers in the state of Florida, they never cease to amaze me. I am a first year
teacher and am blessed to have such an incredible class. In Reading the week of
September 12th, 2011, my students learned about Space and the Solar System. I was
able to show them a small video clip from Discovery Education and as part of the
Lesson I am to ask the students a question known as an “Essential Question.” All
students had to answer was: If you could ask an astronaut anything, what would it be? I was
astounded when I picked up their papers-they wrote LETTERS! I took this
assignment to a new level and sent you the package you see today. I did not edit or
change any of my students work, because then it wouldn’t be their own. These letters
put tears in my eyes of laughter and joy, and I believe they will do the same to you.
This is the first exposure they have ever had to Space, the Solar System and
Astronauts in general. I understand that there may be some time before a response is
sent back to my students, but above all I just wanted to take the time to thank you for
inspiring people each and every day. Today, you inspired 18 more people than
yesterday; you inspired my students. God bless you in all that you do and safe travels
around and around. On behalf of educators all over the world, “the Eagle has landed.”
Best regards,
Jamie N. Flatley
4th grade teacher
Village Oaks Elementary
Immokalee, FL
flatlj@collierschools.com