The Time Capsule Project
Introduction to the Time Capsule Project
Photo of the assignment worksheet given to students
I taught Social Living - a largely unstructured, open, daily discussion of problems, thoughts, and challenges of teens - at two Bay Area high schools.
I began the Time Capsule Project in 1979 and it continued until my retirement in 2002. But it actually extended for decades beyond 2002.
The students were assigned the task of writing a letter from their current self to their future self, to be mailed to them on a date of their choosing. It could be a year or two down the road or decades later. Over the past 40+ years, including my 20 years of retirement, I have mailed approximately 15,000 letters to former students.
Frequently I run into a former student and the first thing they will say is “I still have my letter.” Many students have emailed me or messaged me on Facebook after receiving their letter. I love hearing their reactions to their 15 year old self.
I’m not sure who has had gotten more out of the project—-me or the students.
Following a letter: Stories from students
Below are a few stories and reactions of students opening their letters. For some the journey was far from linear, but in the end everyone was able to experience the magic of receiving a letter from their younger self.
Phil Coffin
Phil wrote his letter in Social Living class in the year of 1994. He was 15 years old.
25 years later, I was able to mail his letter. At 40 years old, he was able to read messages from his younger self, as well as a touching message from his father.
Phil reached out on Facebook to share the story of his letter and his thoughts on reminiscing about it so many years later...
Phil wrote his letter in Social Living class in the year of 1994. He was 15 years old.
25 years later, I was able to mail his letter. At 40 years old, he was able to read messages from his younger self, as well as a touching message from his father.
Phil reached out on Facebook to share the story of his letter and his thoughts on reminiscing about it so many years later...
Phil wrote his letter in Social Living class in the year of 1994. He was 15 years old.
25 years later, I was able to mail his letter. At 40 years old, he was able to read messages from his younger self, as well as a touching message from his father.
Phil reached out on Facebook to share the story of his letter and his thoughts on reminiscing about it so many years later...
“Hi Nancy- I just turned 40, and was thrilled to receive my letters from 15-year old Phil. I was in your Social Living class back in 1994, and remember how pivotal and inspiring that class was. So over a birthday dinner last Wednesday with my parents and my sister's family, I opened my letters and was moved to tears. In particular, the letter that my dad wrote to me back then was especially touching, because I don't remember him being that emotionally expressive or tender, but the letter was so lovingly and thoughtfully written. He's 95 now and slowly fading away, so I was so grateful to read his 25 year old letter to me with him there. I remember back in 1994 thinking what a cool assignment that was and I certainly put a lot of thought into my letter, but then life happened........ high school craziness, the Internet, drugs, girlfriends, music, cell phones, college, travels, 9/11, wars, living in NYC, the first black president, relationships, heartbreaks, grad school, career transitions, deaths, etc........ and then the postal worker dropped those old letters off in my parents' mailbox. What a trip. And to think that hundreds of your former students have had this profoundly moving experience of coming face to face with their old selves. I hope that you know how grateful we are, not just for all the valuable life lessons you taught us back in the day, but for these seeds that you planted that we're able to harvest many years later. Thank you so much Nancy.”
Following up: Responses from students
As soon as email came into widespread use I started putting my address on the back of the students’ letters. I asked them to email me and let me know what life after high school was like for them. I was always thrilled to know they received their letter and get an update. There were amazing tales of how the letter eventually got to them. There were extremely sad stories of letters arriving after a student had died or gone missing. Mostly I enjoyed looking back, with each student, on what had transpired since they left Berkeley High.
I printed out their email responses and I’ve included some here. Both at home and at school I did my best to recycle paper. Therefore, most of the printouts were on the back of a previous assignment so you may see some of that.
Most of the students said I could use their names but a few have been changed or left off if I was unable to reconnect and get permission from them.
One former student wrote: “Reading this email I wrote 24 years ago is like getting another time capsule letter, wow!” Two other students wrote almost the exact same thing.
Click images to enlarge
Dawn Monique Williams
Stefano DeZerega
Leila
Audrey Khuner
Gabe Morris
cont.
