Dear Mr. Baggett,
Hearing of your passing was tragic for all students who attended The Woodlands College Park High School (and I'm sure it was the same for any other student who had you as a teacher), but I think we are all filled with joy because we had the opportunity to be taught by you.
You were by far my favorite teacher. I laughed so hard every time I walked into your class because you truly made learning fun. Aside from myself, most high school students hate English. You made everyone love it. I swear that every junior at CPHS was praying your name would show up on their class schedule. I know I was because of all the great stories I heard about you.
You never got angry (because what student would ever act up in your class?), you never graded hard, and you always helped us out. You would read us stories from the dreaded literature book in your character voices to miraculously keep us all awake and engaged. Everyday you called roll, you would make us say "yo" instead of "here," and after each person said "yo," you would throw up two peace signs and repeat "yo." My best friend and I still do that to each other, because it's hilarious. Additionally, every time we left your classroom, you said your famous quote: "Be nice to old people! And little animals!" in an attempt to continue everyone's day on a high note.
If I went through my Facebook friends, I'm sure most of them would have some type of picture uploaded of (or with) you. My cover picture of this article (which I just found on my own Facebook page) is my absolute favorite memory of being in your class. We had a pep rally, which I have no idea what the theme was, and you came to class dressed up as Elton John. I remember dying of laughter when I came to class, and I was so excited to see what you were up to for the pep rally. When the pep rally came around, you performed your own rendition of an Elton John song and the crowd went wild. That showed me how loved you were at our high school.
Your stories were unreal. While I wish I could remember more, the specific one that comes to mind is the story about the time you bought a dog. You told us you bought a truck, a cowboy hat, and then decided you needed a dog. The story had a bad ending (the dog ran away) but somehow you were still laughing and you still had us laughing.
You thought every boy I spoke to in class was my boyfriend. You would always jokingly yell at students saying "NO PDA IN THE HALLWAY!" Everyone knew who you were, whether you were their teacher or not.
You taught us never to take life too seriously. I remember asking you for my letter of recommendation for college, and having to remind you maybe six times. But that was okay, because you were overjoyed to see your students go on to college and into their futures. Every time we tried to take a picture of you, you would say: "This better not end up on Face-Place" or something along those lines.
When we all heard of your passing, you took over my news feed (in a good way). It was great to hear everyone's memory of you. Here are a few of the things your previous students said:
"By far the sweetest, funniest and kindest teacher I've ever had. It was an honor to be his student. Mr. Bagget taught me not to take life too seriously and that everything you do can be fun if you let it. You will be missed, but not forgotten." - Chandler Howard.
"Thank you for helping me get my foot in the door with broadcasting. You were a great man, RIP Mr. Baggett, you will truly be missed by all." - Cole Thompson.
"Mr. Baggett was one of my favorite, most influential teachers. He realized, unlike many other teachers, that life doesn't need to be so serious sometimes. It's important to laugh and find humor in things. He taught me that not everything has a definitive answer. That sometimes, it's better to just create your own. To create a story, or a picture or a song in hopes that other people might feel a connection with it.
RIP Mr. Baggett. I know you're on to the next chapter in your story, wherever that is." - Ian Wellman.
"Mr. Baggett was such an amazing teacher... He was one of the reasons that I wanted to become an English teacher. Thanks for putting up with us, constantly encouraging us, teaching us, and loving us. I will always treasure the two years that I was lucky enough to be in your classroom, but know that I'll be your student forever! We will all miss you, Mr. Baggett!" - Paxton Lamb.
Thank you, Mr. Baggett, for the impact you've had on all of us. You are the prime example of how every teacher or professor should be.
Sincerely,
Your students
