If you can read this, thank your teacher
Sep 28th 2007
Karen RoseWhen Goddesses Fall To Earth
One of the few common experiences we share is school. Nearly everyone you meet has been to school at one time or another. We’ve all had a teacher or two. By the time we graduate high school we may have had as many as fifty different teachers.
A good teacher is worth the earth. He or she motivates, fascinates, and educates. Note the order. I meant it that way.
My favorite teacher? Doc H, my organic chemistry teacher in the eleventh grade. (that pic’s not him, btw) He made science come alive for me, and I was privileged to be his aide in my senior year. He was dispensing chemicals one day for a lab, and I caught a whiff of one and said, “That’s xyz.” He smiled and said, “Wow. You’re good.” And my pride swelled so big, I could barely hold it in. It was one of the moments that defined my life from that day forward. Because of Doc I studied chemistry in college. Because I was good (big smile!). After all, he’d told me so!
Mrs. M - seventh grade English. I’d written a short story, full of angst. She said, “I was moved. You have a gift.” Thank you, Mrs. Marconi. Wherever you are.
Teachers that could have turned my tide the other way? Mrs. G, first grade, when she said, “You’re lousy at art.” Well, I am - can’t draw a stick figure with a ruler - but still, 
what a thing to say to a little kid!
Or Miz C, seventh grade math when she said, “You’re not smart enough to take algebra next year.” I was crushed! She’d placed me in the back of the class even though I’m very hard of hearing and had asked to be put up front. I was able to go back and tell her of her folly - after I’d earned a scholarship to engineering school five years later. How does the ad go? Priceless!
I was a high school teacher. It’s often a thankless job and here in FL, pays maybe less than a McDonald’s manager’s salary. You have long hours where you’re “ON” every minute. No downtime in the classroom! And then there are papers to grade and parent calls to make when you get home. But most importantly, there are the kids to whom you can say, “Wow, you’re good.” I hope I made a difference.
Did a teacher make a difference in your life? Who, and how? Who was your favorite teacher and why?
PS - here’s a link to a video by Taylor Mali, called “What Teachers Make.” I was moved. He has a gift. It does have a few raw words, just to warn you. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxsOVK4syxU
48 Comments »
48 Responses to “If you can read this, thank your teacher”
Stacy ~ on 28 Sep 2007 at 5:53 am #
Teachers are priceless. I’ve always been bad at math and science, but I had a few teachers, like Mr. B, who really made it click for me. That is the sign of an amazing teacher - someone who can get a student to get past the obstacles and see the subject for what it is in its simplest form. My first grade teacher was someone who loved her students and loved to teach and she just made it a great year for me. My senior high teacher Mrs. S. was a passionate English teacher, yet didn’t let her students just “get by”. She expected us to apply ourselves, and not just pass the class, but excel. I haven’t seen her in almost 20 years, and yet she still remembers me.
It’s a shame that those who help shape our ideas and set us on our path are paid so little.
Lisa H on 28 Sep 2007 at 6:58 am #
Karen, I am so sorry to hear about teachers who use discouraging words on their students!
I believe a child can climb unprecedented heights with a little encouragement. I bet you were that kind of teacher.
I had some wonderful teachers, and can honestly say I never had a discouraging one. I loved my 8th grade math teacher, Mr. Baron. He taught Algebra and insisted we check every problem. We all had an A average in his class because he showed us how to succeed.
My junior English teacher encouraged my writing…several years later I learned that she had written a Harlequin Romance…that got me thinking too.
In college my English teachers encouraged me to enter contests, and to my surprise, I began to win. All were warm and helpful.
I live in NY, and I am not certain if that makes a difference, but we seem to have some amazing educators here, and I appreciate them greatly.
gannon on 28 Sep 2007 at 7:15 am #
Karen, I admire teachers–good ones–tremendously. As a group, I think they are woefully underpaid for all that they do. Both of my in-laws taught for more than 30 years and people still say what a difference they made in their lives. There is no higher praise than that.
I had several teachers that I adored in school, but my favorite was my English teacher in 11th and 12th grade, Mrs. Clendinen. She was passionate about what she taught and it was contagious, at least for me. I still remember so much of what I learned in her class, and that’s saying something so many years later!
I am certain that you made a difference in your students’ lives. There’s a special place in heaven for teachers!
BTW, I LOVED the Taylor Mali video! I got tears in my eyes, and I wanted to stand up and cheer!! Awesome!!
Nicole Jordan on 28 Sep 2007 at 7:40 am #
Those are such lovely stories, fellow goddesses. And I agree, teachers can make a huge difference in children’s lives, for good or for bad.
My dad was the one who got me hooked on algebra, but it was my tenth grade English teacher, Mrs. Cossetti, who drummed honors English into my head and gave me the basic tools to tell my stories many years later. I will always be grateful to her.
Ellen can read on 28 Sep 2007 at 7:40 am #
My favorite educational experience was in eighth grade. We were supposed to write a 5 page essay…extra points for having our mothers type the report (I kid you not!) and for putting it on construction paper.
I was one of seven children whose mother also worked as a nurse, so I knew better than to ask Mom to type. Besides, there wasn’t a keyboard within miles of our home! Construction paper cost money, so I colored in the borders of loose leaf paper.
Man, did the kids in my class let me have it the next day. They mocked the handwriting and the ditzy colored border. I was pretty mortified by the whole thing.
On Monday, we got the papers back. As my name was called, the teacher said, “Ellen is the only one in the class who got an A+. Her story was beautifully written and a joy to read.”
On the first page she wrote, “You have a gift. Use it!”
Thank you, Miss Cassidy.
Ellen can read on 28 Sep 2007 at 7:42 am #
I wrote that WITHOUT my glasses on, so ignore all typos! Notice I am Ellen can read….not Ellen can write. LOL
gannon on 28 Sep 2007 at 7:46 am #
Ellen, that’s beautiful! Bravo for Miss Cassidy for giving you an A+ that you completely deserved.
It’s funny about getting extra points for parents typing the paper. Now when kids have these projects for class, you can tell when their parents have done almost the entire thing! I always tell my kids that I don’t mind assisting, but the work needs to be theirs, because it is their project they are being graded on, not mine!
dbrown3400 on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:20 am #
I cannot think of a single teacher I didn’t like. Perhaps it was because I liked learning so much or because the Tulsa Public Schools I attended at that time were that good. I know there must have been some but I just don’t remember those. I especially remember my fifth, seventh, ninth and twelfth grade English teachers. Miss E. went to Princeton every year to grade the SAT writing samples so she was no slouch.
I even liked my Latin teacher who I had for four years. Most people didn’t like her but she got the job done. What I really appreciated was the way each communicated their specialty with such different personalities. That made education fun while working toward college.
I found the college lectures so different because there was no personal interaction. We had personal assistant profs or undergrads assigned to us but sometimes the subject matter was lost in the process. Or maybe it was my sleeping through that eight AM physics lecture that made the difference.
Karen Hawkins on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:20 am #
I looove teachers.
I was a mediocre student until I had Ms. Fern Hilton for Botany/Zoo in high school and she was the toughest teacher ever. She challenged us all and because of her, I was DETERMINED to be one of the VERY few to get an A. I worked my arse off, studied like a demon, and did every bit of extra credit I could. Then, at my mother’s suggestion, I took the CLEP test where I could get college credit if I passed — and I passed! All because of Ms. Hilton. She taught me to love learning and the rewards of challenging myself.
That’s a priceless gift.
HUZZAH to the teachers!!!
dbrown3400 on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:21 am #
The smaller classes were great though, except for a couple where the instructors were just going through the motions. I hated that.
dbrown3400 on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:23 am #
Oops, forgot. Two of my teachers at Princeton got Fords Fellowships to study abroad and they were two of my very favorites without knowing how good they really were.
PJ on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:29 am #
Ellen…as in Ellen who can make people cry. That was a beautiful story and yes, I’m sitting here wiping the tears. Brava, Miss Cassidy!
Karen Hawkins on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:37 am #
Why do you all think teachers are so underpaid? Personally, I’d vote to increase taxes to see better pay for teachers. It just seems that new money for education goes to buildings and not those who work in them.
Bumblebee on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:37 am #
WhooHoo!
My husband teaches high school Physical Science (five classes of freshman, oh how does he do it?), and I can not wait for him to see that video clip! He is one of those guys who spent years working as a miserable drone in the IT industry because it paid well. After a company down-sizing left him at loose ends, he asked me if I would mind if we had less money around the house.
“Um, how much less?”
“A teacher’s salary”
“That’s a lot less”
“Do you mind?”
“Go for it!”.
Five years later, he is working towards his Master’s Degree and local kids from passing cars yell “hey, it’s Mr. J!” when we walk into town. He loves high school freshmen because he can still “infect their little minds, mwaahaahaa.”
Can you tell how proud I am to be married to a teacher?
-A Beaming Emmiebee
PJ on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:50 am #
I was blessed to have some wonderful teachers. Three immediately come to mind. Mrs. Hawks, first grade and Miss Cronin, second grade were amazing teachers who took a special interest in each child in their classroom. I’m often complimented on my beautiful penmanship which I owe completely to the two of them. They are also the two who engendered in me a love of reading and a love of learning. They built the solid foundation of my educational life. Mrs. Shaffer was my 10th grade English teacher and 12th grade Psychology teacher. She was passionate, enthusiastic and infectious in her love of teaching and I adored her.
~PJ
doglady on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:50 am #
I was fortunate enough to have some great teachers! My first grade teacher, Mrs. Chance in Selma, Alabama realized after the first six weeks that the reason I acted out in class was because I was BORED OUT OF MY MIND!! In a time when there were NO programs for gifted kids, she talked the principal into letting me do my work for a few hours and spend the rest of the day in the library reading. She insisted they maintain the program through the 4th grade. We were a k-12 school. By the time we moved to England I had read everything in the entire library. In England the military schools DID have gifted programs. Mr. Floyd Agers was the first African American teacher this Alabama girl ever had. He was a genius. We did research projects and he just infected us with the desire to learn more. My German professor, Dr. Odom and my voice teacher, Dr. Wood helped me get my Fulbright to Germany which led to my study at the Mozarteum in Salzburg which led to my opera career.
Sherri Erwin on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:51 am #
Great topic, Karen! You inspired me to look up my favorite teacher, my 8th grade math teacher who became a family friend and personal mentor. He made it his personal mission to convince me that I really liked math. I haven’t heard from him in years, so I did a Google search to track him down. Found him, I think. We’ll see if he emails back. Great teachers deserve thanks and recognition.
elsiehogarth on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:51 am #
Mr Gloss was my History teacher in 9th grade. He was wonderful, knowledgable and very strict. He brought History alive. I know it was because of him that I minored, in History, since I wanted to become an Archeologist specializing in Egyptology but went into business instead. To this day I love to see or read anything on the French Revolution, Napoleon, British Empire, Egyptian Pharoahs, the colonies etc. Long live the History Channel and thanks Mr. Gloss.
doglady on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:00 am #
I was a teacher for five years. High school English and History in a school for “incorrigible” kids. It was hard work and often no results at all. However, I do see some of my students now - grown with kids of their own. One, whom I discovered could not read in spite of being in the 11th grade in the public school system. I had to teach him to read before I could teach him history. He introduced me to his wife a few years ago and said “This is the woman who changed my life.” He has his own construction company now. I have a forensic psychiatrist, a juvenile probation officer, four lawyers, a five star chef, a trucking executive and several small business owners to my credit. And Emmiebee, you have every right to be proud of your hubby. Not only is he a teacher, but he is rare role model for young men today. I can tell you, when I walk through this little town and my now grown students holler out the car window “Hey Mama H !” it makes my day!!
PJ on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:01 am #
I only had one negative experience with a teacher. In 8th grade we were required spend an entire semester writing a term paper. I worked my tail off. I did the entire project on my own with no help from my parents and I felt like the proudest kid on the planet when I handed it in. When the paper was returned to me I was devastated to see a big red D at the top. I was an honor student and I knew that I had nailed that paper. I went to the teacher after class and asked her to explain. She told me it was obvious I hadn’t written the paper and I was lucky she didn’t give me an F. I told her I had done the entire project on my own and she said “you’re not that smart”. Fortunately, I had parents who were actively involved in my education and eventually we were able to convince the teacher that I had written the paper on my own. continued…
PJ on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:05 am #
continued…
I had to sit through a Q&A session with her where I basically had to walk her through every step of my process and verbally defend the contents of the paper. Finally she had to admit that I had, in fact, written the paper myself and she re-graded the project. I got an A.
Years later, I happened to run into her. She said she owed me an apology and admitted that she had had a bias against me because my dad was Pres. of the School Board. Apparently she had some gripe against the board and took it out on me.
PJ on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:10 am #
Doglady, you can’t see me but I’m sitting here applauding. It’s easy to see that you were a much loved and admired teacher. Brava for all you’ve done for so many young people during your teaching career.
Bravo to all teachers out there who each day make it their mission to inspire a love of learning and achievement in young minds.
gannon on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:12 am #
PJ, shame on that teacher!!! Obviously, you were a good student and she should have realized that you were capable of getting an A. The very idea that she took her personal problems out on you! GRRRR! I’m glad she finally apologized, even if it took her years to do it.
gannon on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:16 am #
Emmiebee, your husband sounds like an exceptional teacher! Bless him for making a difference in so many children’s lives!
Doglady, you must have been so touched and proud when that student you taught to read introduced you to his wife as “..the woman who changed my life.” Hugs to all of you who teach our children and truly make a difference!
Karen Rose on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:20 am #
Wow, I go to sleep for a few hours and you guys rock and roll!
“This is the lady that changed my life.” Doglady, you made me cry.
You, too, Ellen. Words are power - negative ones can stunt a child. I’m so glad your teacher gave you that A+ and showed those little creeps in your class what was really important.
Emmibee - I’m glad your husband made the change and now changes kids’ lives. Cheers to him!!
And that Mali video makes me tear up every time I see it! When he talks about how how he calls home to tell those parents what their kid did that day … And the end, I want to cheer. That man is a gifted poet and one of the leading artists in poetry slam. I love that video.
Karen Rose on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:20 am #
KarenH - I have no idea why teachers get paid so little. I took a class on the history of American education and interestingly, the drop in pay started when women began to take the jobs from men after the Civil War. They didn’t need as much money as they had husbands to be the breadwinners.
That was the textbook’s story anyway…
Dev on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:22 am #
One of the best teachers I ever had was Mrs. Lytle who taught me journalism, poetry, and literature. She was a gem. I just remember her kindness and her sweet nature, and I don’t think I ever saw her lose her temper ~~ not once, which is saying something considering the kids that she had to teach. I lost touch with her after I graduated, but think of her often.
I admire teachers so much. They really are the common denominator for everyone, aren’t they? No matter where we are in life, I think we all have a teacher to thank for it.
Karen Hawkins on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:24 am #
Why are we not surprised to find out that our beloved doglady was once a beloved teacher? Bravo, Mama H!
And PJ, that same thing happened to my daughter, although no one had a grudge against the fam. Her teacher did not believe she’d written a certain paper, but the gifted teacher stepped in with a folder of her writing samples and convinced the English teacher that my daughter had, in fact, written the paper by herself. It really hurt her feelings, though, and she still mentions it.
Karen Rose on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:40 am #
I also remember Miz Keene. She was about 65 when I had her for Western Civilizations in the tenth grade. She always gave essay tests and when I sat down for the first test I was ready! I loved history (still do) and I had a 100% average in my 8th grade class. Bring it on, Miz Keene, I said. Then gaped at the C- on my test. I had NEVER in my LIFE received a C on anything and there was a C-!!!
I strode up to her desk and said, “Miz Keene, I did not deserve this C-!” She looked over those half glasses with a full sneer. “Of course you didn’t, but you were too nice a kid to give a D.”
ACK!!! I was incensed with righteous 15 year old indignation. Then I realized, she was right. I went back and asked how I could write - and she taught me.
Thank you, Miz Keene!
Sherri Erwin on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:43 am #
PJ and Karen H. the same thing happened to my son! It didn’t go as far as grading him inappropriately or having to defend it, thank goodness, because the support staff stepped in and supplied his test results and samples (similar to what happened for Karen’s daughter). It didn’t hurt my son’s feelings. It made him laugh and marvel at his mad skills with the written word. His head is still big from it.
krystal on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:48 am #
In high school, my parents were divorcing and I was having a really hard time adjusting. I didn’t care about much of anything and was doing poorly in school. None of my teachers seemed to notice or care. Mr. Shahin who taught my global issues class as well as economics and world history, took me aside one day and told me that he knew that I could be doing so much better than how I was doing. He told me that I could feel free to come and talk to him whenever I needed to and he would be there to listen and would try to help however possible. It was such a relief to know that someone other than my mom cared about how I was doing.
I ended up having Mr. Shahin for economics and for world history before I finished high school. He not only made learning fun and interesting, he truly cared about his students. I look at him and say “That’s what a teacher does. That’s what a teacher IS.” He is one of the reasons that I want to be a teacher. I want to help someone like he helped me. I want to
krystal on 28 Sep 2007 at 9:52 am #
(continued)
make a difference on someone’s life the way that he made a difference in mine. He changed the way that I looked at teaching and has given me motivation for what kind of a teacher I want to be.
gannon on 28 Sep 2007 at 10:05 am #
Krystal, you made me cry. What a testament to Mr. Shahin that you want to be a teacher like him! How lucky you were to have him and how lucky your future students will be!
Karen, I e-mailed all of my friends and family the link to Taylor Mali’s video. I just had to share his message on the influence of teachers. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. I’ve watched it twice and cried both times. I can’t wait to show my husband and kids!
SuzyQ on 28 Sep 2007 at 10:15 am #
The teacher I remember most was my eighth grade teacher. She used to be a nun, but never took her final vows. She was always active with the kids – I still remember her playing kick ball in her habit on the playground. Even though she was a fun teacher, she was also tough when it came to schoolwork. If she knew you could do better, she let you know it and always made you work for your grade. She still teaches to this day and last year won an award for outstanding teacher.
I so enjoy reading about all your experiences and I applaud all the teachers. It’s nice to hear that former students do remember you and you can make a difference in someone’s life.
Freshechelle on 28 Sep 2007 at 10:29 am #
In high shcool, it was Mrs. Calabrese. When I started 8th grade, I boasted that I read 20 books over the summer. I told her they were all romance novels, she didn’t mock, she gently encouraged me to read some classic literature & handed me Thomas Hardy’s “Far from the Madding Crowd”. It took me a few years to get hooked but now if I had time, I study for a masters in lit.
In community college, it was my French professor who saved me. I planned on leaving at the end of my sophomore year because I didn’t have any direction, she refused to let me, helped me find passable classes for my tough requirements and told me “you go to college to find out what you DON’T want do.” - advice I pass on to every college-bound kid I meet. It was great advice for a kid whose parents didn’t go to college. 3 years later I graduated from a good university with a degree in medieval history and a career not related to my major. I regret that I can’t recall her name now but she changed my life.
Susan K on 28 Sep 2007 at 10:32 am #
My two favorite teachers were in High School. Mr. Martin was my 9th grade english teacher (and really cute). It was his first year teaching so it was an easy class. I was going through some rough stuff at home and at school and he always made the time to listen to me. When I was a senior I took his Multi-Cultural Literature Class just so I could have him for a teacher again. Mr. Shepard taught my Creative Writing Class in 11th grade. He was very encouraging with my writing. And unlike my parents when I told him I wanted to be a writer and write novels he told me I could do it. When I was in 12th grade both Mr. Martin and Mr. Shepard agreed to be advisers in the Writing Club I was starting. I don’t know if it lasted after I graduated but it was fun while I was there.
Karen Hawkins on 28 Sep 2007 at 10:52 am #
You guys are making me weep and it’s ruining my cheesecake!
So many great teachers and at such crucial junctures of our lives. Great bloggage, Karen Rose!
darkshire007 on 28 Sep 2007 at 11:08 am #
Mine is not a happy story. I don’t even remember this teacher’s name; but he was the pre-algebra teacher in ninth grade. We were only into the seventh week of school and I was laboring through a pop test in class. I just couldn’t grasp A+B=C/D=2 (you get the idea). Then he called time and took up the papers to be graded while we worked out of our books. I raised my hand and asked a question; his answer was that I had to be stupid to not understand this almost two months into the class. I was removed from that class and put into Fundamentals of Math where I stayed until I graduated. He didn’t understand that I had a tutor helping me at home but not at school. He humiliated me in front of my peers and made me question my intelligence. To this day I have to triple check my math out of insecurity (despite having my entire college math completed for my degree). In my job peoples lives depend on my ability to do calculations that affect safety of flight.
twolilhahas on 28 Sep 2007 at 11:17 am #
My favorite teacher was my high school english teacher, Mrs. Hocutt. I had her for three of the four years of high school and she was great. She was very positive, but firm. She gave you the grade you earned, and encouraged you to try harder, do better.
My least favorite teacher was a Humanities teacher, Mr. Law. He was mean and spiteful. He’s been a teacher forever…he taught my dad before me! I remember him handing out copies of a Mythology book and some were ratty and others were nice and new. I watched him switch the really good one that would have been mine with a ratty one that would have been the guy’s right before mine so he (the guy before me) would have the nice one and I would have the crappy one. It totally hurt my feelings. The problem he had with me was I was absent more than average. It wasn’t entirely my fault and I don’t think he should have held that against me. I still made the grade in his class.
Meg on 28 Sep 2007 at 11:22 am #
I had three favorites in high school. Two were my english teachers, and the other was my art teacher. The english teachers really helped me with my witing skills. Yes, in high school I fancied myself an aspiring writer. One of them was also the head of the drama dept and got me into that as well. I eventually became Vice President of the drama club! My art teacher was my favorite person in the world. She got me to join the art club and, you guessed it, I held an office. Treasurer only, though. I could go to her and we could talk about anything. It was like haveing a second mother! I really miss her. She moved to a different county and I have no idea how to find her or if she would even remember me. Anyway, those three ladies were as close to me as some of my friends were. And I’ll never forget them as long as live. **thanks for everything Ms. Owens, Ms. Gardner, and Ms. Wright.**
Karen Rose on 28 Sep 2007 at 12:49 pm #
Gannon - you’re welcome! I hope it gives teachers everywhere that extra bounce. Mali has a goal of recruiting 1000 teachers with his poetry and keeps a blog on his website of all the teachers who’ve contacted him with their intent to become one. He also wants to hear from teachers who may have been ready to throw in the towel, but decided to give it one more year because they were encouraged by “What Teachers Make.”
Darkshire - what a horrible experience. I’ve known a teacher or two like that myself, thank goodness they are the definite minority! I’m gritting my teeth against saying more. The art teacher in my 1st grade class didn’t just tell me I was lousy at art - she held my painting up to the class, said I hadn’t followed her instructions and ripped up my painting and threw it in the garbage.
It was years before I had the courage to tell my parents - I thought I’d failed and they’d be mad at me. Of course they weren’t. They were furious with that teacher!
Karen Rose on 28 Sep 2007 at 12:51 pm #
I’m so glad to hear all these positive experiences, though!
Kudos to teachers everywhere! I was interviewed yesterday and asked what I’d be doing if I didn’t write. I didn’t even have to think about it - I’d go back to being a teacher. It gave me pleasure and made me feel like I was giving something back to all the wonderful teachers who shepherded me.
twolilhahas on 28 Sep 2007 at 1:29 pm #
I homeschool my daughters, so I’ve become something of a teacher. It’s a beautiful feeling knowing that my daughter can read simply because I sat down with her and passed along valuable information. I get a lot of joy listening to her read and watching her write because her successes are my successes. It’s hard, too. Some days we’re on each other’s nerves. I can only imagine how hard it is to have to deal with 13 or more of someone else’s children! lol
Ellen can read on 28 Sep 2007 at 6:34 pm #
I have not been able to find my reading glasses for two days now, so everyone please forgive all the typos in my comments. I never knew sight and spelling were connected, but I keep making “their instead of there” types of mistakes.
Anyway, thank you all so much for your beautiful and inspirational stories. You had my eyes tearing all day. (Or maybe it was the strain of reading without glasses?)
Thank you, Ms. Rose, for the great topic. It ALMOST makes me feel guilty about what I did to you at the airport in yesterday’s blog! Almost.
Nighty night,
E
twolilhahas on 28 Sep 2007 at 7:48 pm #
Am I the only one on Olympus on a Friday night? lol It’s a long, boring night with no goddesses around!
Ronlyn on 28 Sep 2007 at 8:50 pm #
ahhh, I LOVE teachers. I can only think of a couple that I didn’t care for. The ones that really made a diff in my life? Mrs. Jones, 3rd grade English. She’s the one who helped me to understand that I’m a visual learner, helped me understand how important notes are, how to study. Up until that point I’d been drifitng and not understanding why I was having a hard time with things. Another was Mr. G, my highschool Physicis teacher. Amazing man really. I bombed a test once and went in after school that day to have him help me and I’ll never forget him sitting down with me and saying, “You’re thinking too much. Just relax and go with your gut. You KNOW this stuff. You have great instints, don’t doubt yourself.” It was like a big lightbulb moment in my life.
Teachers are amazing.
doglady on 28 Sep 2007 at 10:57 pm #
I only taught for five years and so many people have asked me why I did it, wasn’t it a waste of my degrees, and why I didn’t just stay in it long enough to get a pension. The last year I taught, the kinds of students I got changed. I see it now that I am out of it. My problems weren’t just with the students, but with the attitudes of parents whose only concern was that their kid get that “piece of paper,” not that they learn anything. I could not get around that, so I quit. Those of you who wonder if your teachers remember you. Yes, they do. They remember the ones that made it and the ones that didn’t. Trust me. They remember. The one thing I did for my students was to EXPECT something from them, when so many people didn’t. They called me Mama H, but they also called me Attila the Professor behind my back. I have called several former students on it when I have run into them and it is nice to know I can still make them blush! All I did was believe in them. They did the rest.
Karen Rose on 29 Sep 2007 at 12:07 am #
Sorry, Two. I had to leave for a while and my PDA that got internet everywhere last week didn’t today.
Ronlyn - Good for Mr. G - so many times kids freeze up out of fear of failure. Actually, adults do this too. Wait, I still do this. I’m so glad he told you that you had good instincts!
Doglady, you said it eloquently.