I'm pre-empting my own blog today to ask you a question and a favor. I'm preparing a special presentation for our teachers on Teacher Appreciation Day, and since it will be my last, I want to make it unforgettable.
The question: Has a teacher ever shown you a special kindness that helped or motivated you? If so, what was it?
The favor: Please let me know about it in the comments. This can be any teacher you've had, or maybe it's a teacher someone in your family has had, or any one that you know about. I know there are teachers out there who shouldn't be in the profession at all, but I also know there are many more who bring unsung grace into the lives of kids every day. I truly hope you had at least one of these special people in your life.
Please don't be shy. It doesn't have to be long, and if you won't judge my grammar and punctuation, I won't judge yours. :)
You all are THE BEST! I have to have this completed by the end of next week, so thank you for your help!
The year I turned five and started school, our house burned down. Back then I was very timid and wasn't terribly excited about starting school. I was actually scared. However that soon changed when I met my first teacher Mrs. Alford, who was very kind and loving. When she heard about our house she brought me a doll, which I named Alford doll and played with for years after. There's an interesting story to go with this on my blog called Unexpected E-Blessings.
ReplyDeleteLinda: What a wonderful thing she did, and I love how you named it after her. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteHi, Shelly!
ReplyDeleteYou wrote:
<< I know there are teachers out there who shouldn't be in the profession at all >>
I remember a few of those. One was the head basketball coach who also "taught" a particular subject which I can't even recall. Another was a history teacher who typically propped his feet up on his desk and worked on crossword puzzles while the class read chapters. That was his idea of teaching. There was one teacher, however, who taught science, and he was different from all the rest. He wasn't a popular sports jock. He wasn't an easy going, laid back guy who phoned it in every day, punched the time clock and collected his paycheck. This man, small in stature, wore a suit and bow tie to work every day. He resembled Pee Wee Herman, yet he commanded respect because he gave respect. He approached teaching with dignity and fostered dignity in his students. Geology, astronomy - whatever branch of science he was teaching at any given time - he did so with genuine enthusiasm. It was infectious. Through osmosis I was inspired to read and do research beyond the scope of the lesson plan and I was motivated to enter an exhibit in the annual school science fair several years in a row. He gladly helped and advised me with my science projects. This outstanding teacher proved that you don't have to "cool" to be a great teacher and motivator. He taught me and other kids to distinguish the difference between superficial flash and real substance. I will always remember him.
Shady: You've know idea how it grates on me, people like that who phone it in. It's like robbery, really.
DeleteI'm so glad you had that man for a science teacher. What wonderful lessons he taught you, and not just about science.
Thank you for sharing!
Hi Shelly I had a teacher named Miss Gibson in grade one she was mean or so I thought, my very first day she kept calling out a name for attendance and no one answered I kept looking around the room for that person to say "present" she finally walked up to my desk and slapped a ruler on my desk and asked why are you not answering. I replied that is not my name, I must tell you she had called out my real name and I only knew my nickname Buttons, she took me out to the hall as she thought I was being disobedient, she had the strap. I knew this because my Mom happened to have one just like it at home. I was crying and tried to explain I did not know the name she was calling out. To save face for both of us and for her to keep her authority in the classroom I am guessing she slapped the wall with that strap and since I was already crying I could hear the whole room gasp. I walked into that classroom and never said one word about that day.
ReplyDeleteYears later when she had my daughter for a student she called me Buttons all through that first parent teacher meeting and we both smiled. She was not mean, as I had thought we became very good friends personally after that. She was an excellent teacher and a great friend and she continued to call me Buttons till the day she passed away. She needed to establish her authority and it had worked.Teachers get a bad rap sometimes for reasons we may never understand till we have grown. Hope this helps. Happy retirement. B
Buttons: Wow- as shy as I was in first grade, I would have been crying, too, and terrified really. I'm so glad you were able to have such a warm relationship with her, especially since she was teaching your daughter. What a great ending!
DeleteThank you for sharing!
Shelly, great idea. I loved my teachers and have many memories of teachers who helped me. I am grateful to each one for the time they invested and what I gained - that includes school teachers, Sunday School teachers, and VBS. GREAT appreciation for my first grade teacher who taught me to read!
ReplyDeleteBut one year, my Dad had been laid off work and at school that day, I lost my lunch money. I remember being upset over that because even at the young age of 8, I knew that money did not come easy at our house. My teacher not only soothed my fears and concern, but gave me lunch money. That may not sound like very much, but I will always remember her compassion and generosity.
Nonnie: What a kind hearted person, and what a comfort that must have been to you. I love that story. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteI can't think of a teacher who changed my life but I did have a mentor, who I wrote about on Monday in a post called "A Generosity of Spirit." This might work for your purpose.
ReplyDeleteStephen: I was so touched by that post- and yes, it is perfect. Thank you!
DeleteI was lucky to have so many great teachers. The one who taught Gr Primary to Three in our two room school, who had rheumatoid arthritis so bad she walked bent over, with a cane, the rare times I saw her walking at all - she gave us a wonderfully enriched classroom with many books, raised sandboxes for indoor recesses in bad weather, a homemade model of the solar system, a homemade doll house, art classes every week, trips to the nearby park, a year-end rhythm band concert which was attended by our parents (she took pairs of us to her home to bake sweets for it), and of course the regular lessons. She was my first, and best, school teacher. And when I was a teenager I was fortunate to have a wonderful piano teacher. I was little more than a beginner, but this spirited man taught me complicated pieces instead of the usual starter pieces, and also coached me in singing a solo with the choir he started in our small community. These things stretched me and gave me experiences I would never have had otherwise, which in turn gave me confidence in myself. I wonder if teachers realize how often we, their former students, think of them with warmth and profound thankfulness? I think your students will, Shelly. In face, I know it. My mother was a teacher as well, retired many years ago, and she still gets recognized by former students who run to her to hug her and tell her she was their favourite teacher of all:)
ReplyDeletejenny_o: What a beautiful person she was! I'm so glad you had someone like her, nurturing you and giving you such a wonderful foundation. Would that there were more like her. Your om sounds like a fantastic teacher as well! What age level did she teach?
DeleteAnd jenny_o, your comment so touched my heart. I'm finding the closer I get to the end here, the more emotional I'm getting about it. Thank you, thank you.
"in fact", not in face :)
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteJust sent you an email to answer your question, and a bit more :)
Deletejenny_o: I so loved reading what you wrote, and your mom is a remarkable woman. I'm so glad she devoted herself to the lives of so many young people. It is those kind of investments that reap riches for generations to come. Thank you!!!
DeleteMy high school orchestra director had a profound influence on the path my life has taken. He recognized my talent and encouraged me to pursue music, even though my own parents encouraged me to follow a different path. I am so grateful to this teacher, because now I have students of my own. I couldn't imagine a more rewarding and fulfilling job!
ReplyDeleteSherry: That is exactly the kind of person each child needs in their life- someone who can tap that untouched potential and open it up. I'm so glad you had him. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteMy daughter's teacher last year stayed after school every day to help my daughter with reading and math. She'd stay even an hour extra some days, selflessly helping kids who'd fallen behind. It was AMAZING. My daughter's life changed. So did mine. My daughter is now right on track and it's all because of that wonderful teacher.
ReplyDeleteElisa: What a wonderful, selfless person that teacher is! I wish more teachers realize they do have the power to literally change lives, and even destinies! Thank you for sharing such an inspirational story!
DeleteWhat a great idea, Shelly. Mrs. Jones, my art teacher, was such an inspiration to me. She was reminded of it through out the years, I would see her at her antique store and "remind" her often of her influence. I have always had a "thing" for English teachers. Mrs. Castle, a high school English teacher, gave me a special gift (jeweled little ornate box w/ pearls) for helping her grade papers. In second grade, I will never forget Mrs. Lomax for giving me a card containing a silver dollar for not missing a spelling word all year. Then there was Mr. P. in college ... okay, enough is enough! :)
ReplyDeleteCindy: We respond so well when someone takes the time to reward us for something we've put effort into. Those teachers knew what they were doing. I'm so glad you had more than one in your life- it builds such a rich foundation! Thank you for sharing, my friend!
DeleteHi Shelly,
ReplyDeleteSome teachers put the students on their path to success. I had a science taecher and when she left, I left science and started doing arts.
My daughter's science teacher was so great that he is the reason she is doing her medicine science studies now.
Nas
Nas: Teachers have such amazing power over students and their futures- I'm glad those science teachers used their power for the good! Thank you!
DeleteFor me it was some college professors who rescued me from obscurity and a total lack of self-esteem. I went back to college when my children were in elementary and high school. One professor wrote on my first essay that she was so happy to meet someone with an original mind, that I was so creative. Me? Creative? My very most favorite professor taught me critical analysis of literature. I applied his methods to the newspaper stories I wrote later on. He wrote on one of my essays that his greatest joy in life as a teacher was to have students like me. I emailed him when I got my first job as a reporter. He replied, I knew you would find your niche in life. Above all else, those professors taught me that I am a writer. Before I met them, I didn't know who or what I was, other than Dr. X's much-hated wife.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie: Gosh, Janie, this brought a lump to my throat. How beautiful it was that they invested themselves in your life and revealed your own talents to you. I love these examples- thank you for sharing!
DeleteThank you for asking. I love telling people about the great professors I've known.
DeleteJanie: It's inspirational to me~
DeleteIt doesn't happen often, but whenever I catch the fragrance of White Shoulders, I'm reminded of my second grade teacher, Natalie Rogers Green who was so affectionate to this lonely little seven year old. Because of this strong connection with her smell, I have found a nice hand lotion to wear that my granddaughter just loves.
ReplyDeleteWhen my seventh grade teacher married and left our school, three of her pupils cried our hearts out before she left. She invited us to her home to meet her new husband and have lunch with them. Patty Johnson will always be a special teacher of mine.
Cheryl: Oh, how I loved your story of White Shoulders. My grandma used to wear it, so it has wonderful memories for me, also. Patty Johnson also sounds like not just a first rate teacher, but person as well. She truly thought of you all as whole people, instead of just little brains that needed to be filled with facts. Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
DeleteI had an English teacher that during my baby brother's birth, hospital stay and later death, my grades had slipped and she called to talk to my mom to see what was up and she was so understanding. I had a special closeness to her from that time on. Her name was Ms. Snyder. I heard she later married, I do not know her married name. I ended up having her in 7th grade and again in 8th grade for a special English Quest writing class. She was the only teacher who cared enough to call.
ReplyDeleteA concern, a phone call, becomes such a caring gesture that is still remembered 30 some years later!
Best wishes with this Shelly!! I'll say extra prayers for you! I got goosebumps and teared up reading the "this will be my last..." part. I'm sure it will be wonderful!
Jamie: Wow- only one called? I'm so glad she did, though, and what a wonderful thing that you got her again in 8th grade, too. Sometimes it takes so little to accomplish so much in the heart and mind of a person.
DeleteThank you! It's getting to be emotional for me at times, and at other times, I can't fathom what life will be like after spending the last 47 years in school (I started when I was 4)!
Shelly, I have always strongly felt teachers have the ability to make or break a student's self confidence and success in the world of academia. I struggled from the onset of school with mathematics.When I was young I missed school the week the teacher was instructing the class how to add numbers in a column and 'carry' those numbers from one column to another. I was able to bluff my way and muddle along in school until the sixth grade. The teacher told my Mother I as slow and probably should be in a remedial class. My Mom took offense and solicited the aid of a favorite teacher of one of my older sisters to tutor me and try to help me. We started from the very basics and she was so very patient and kind. Never did she make me feel anything less than bright. She told me, and I've passed this along to my own children...'It's not HOW smart you are but...HOW are you smart.' Through much practice and work, she realized I had never been instructed correctly the basics of math. We started over and while I was never a fan of math, I was able to finish my schooling with success in my math classes.
ReplyDeleteI am forever grateful to the love and care and concern that teacher/tutor brought to my world. She later went on to be the Principal of the elementary school I attended and worked consistently to make sure all children discovered 'How they were smart'!
Enjoy your upcoming retirement dear friend, I know you have brought joy and hope and kindness to so many. I'm sure you are an inspiration to many of your colleagues.
Loves~
Sush: It's just incredible that the teacher labeled you as slow and needing a remedial class without even fully investigating. Your story is a perfect illustration of how teachers can either do great good or great harm. I am so glad you had that wonderful lady who used patience and kindness to bring you along. I LOVE It's not how smart you are, but how you are smart! I will remember that for the rest of my days.
DeleteThank you, my friend!
Dearests Shelly,
ReplyDeleteWow, I am sure everyone has teachers who have left wonderful impressions or advises to them.
When I was a Junior High School students, I was a member of English Conversation Club. I'll skip the part why I joined the club. (maybe I've already written about it in one of my previous post)
We did English play "snow white" at the cultural festival. You can easily guess what part I had; one of the the Seven Dwarfs p;) Well, I had learned the huge difference between Japanese and English. The former is vowel based and the later consonant based. I practiced how to pronounce "r / f,v / th /" at home really hard even though my late brother sometimes grumbled about the noise (lol; that was what he said). These three are the most difficult for us. For example, I just found a couple of my students who can do or try differentiate "light and right" during my long teaching career at home. You may surprise how we cannot roll our tongue as we DO NOT have 'R' sound.
Sorry for my digression, haha. After the play, my club teacher praised me so much privately and said I could utilize my talent. He not only enlightened me but also impressed me for his graceful manner considering my standpoint (I mean not in front of the others). I still treasure his words "your efforts sure will be fruitful someday in your future, little girl".
And he must have been one of the great prson who taught me how to face the students.
Thank you very much for the chance of remembering him, my friend♡♡♡ (better cook dinner, hubby is looking at me with hungry face, haha)
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Oh,my; Reading Miss HOOTIN ANNI's comment, I couldn't help writing about government's "education with latitude or lighter curriculum" in Japan. Since that policy was implemented about 10 years ago, teaching cursive writing in English has stopped... My students after that didn't feel the need off learning them. I have been feeling so sad about this fact. Love, xoxo Miyako*
DeleteMiyako: I love the memory of you being in the Snow White play, even as a dwarf! I was imagining you as Snow White as I was reading it, my dear friend! Your practice and work have truly paid off as you use the English language so well, in fact, better than some native speakers I know. I'm so glad you had that wonderful teacher in your life.
DeleteAnd I so lament the teaching of cursive everywhere. It has completely died out here, and most schools I know do not teach it anymore. Sigh.
Wow, what a surprise to know about it... My husband said that one of the reason might be no need to write with hand much lately. Even though I wish the beauty of the cursive writing can pass down.
DeleteSilly me forgot to say good luck for the presentation. I'm crossing my fingers for your success☆☆☆ Hugs to you, xoxo Miyako*
Miyako: I do think that's a big part of it- so much is done on the computer there's really not that need anymore. I still miss beautiful handwriting, though!
DeleteThank you, my dear friend, for your good wishes!
xo-
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletesorry....but I began with Miss Beale in bold but the other two were not 'bold'. So I reposted the same below.
DeleteHOOTIN ANNI: I would have done the same thing!
DeleteOh boy, have I ever had some great teachers. Let me begin...one was my 3rd Grade Teacher, Miss Beale. She took extra time with me to help me in my cursive writing skills. She also lived just a few blocks from me at the time, and before we knew it we became 'friends' along with mentor and student. We'd walk to school together, AND back home. She took extra time to help me create a beautiful handwriting skill that still holds true today. I think of her often even today as I write checks [yes, I still do that sometimes] or sign my name to some contract or some such action that entails me to use cursive writing. Then, two English Teachers. One, in Junior High School, Mr. Williams. He was a retired military personnel and his way of treating students was extraordinary. Kept us all in line without having favorites. His way of teaching the grammar and sentence composition remains in my mind. Verbs, adverbs, compound sentences, nouns, adjectives, prepositions...all to make a sentence correctly. A lot of grown-ups after my generation cannot for a proper sentence. Thank you Mr. Williams!! And last but not least, my high school American Literature teacher, Mrs. Sanderson. She was the best literature teacher....never to tell any of her students when asked to give us an opinion of a play or piece of prose...she always admired our 'take on the theme'; not criticizing anyone of their opinions like a lot of teachers = "No that was NOT the meaning of this line". She was truly interested in how we interpreted the English Language by other authors. AND she was always taking us on field trips to plays, etc. That is how I got so very interested in William Shakespeare!! Play acting was a part of our class time also. Et Tu Brute? I learned a lot of Latin phrases by reading a lot of Shakespeare in her class and our classroom excursions.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to go back in memory of all the greatness a teacher creates in our lives. Thank you. And thank you Miss Beale, Mr. Williams, and Mrs. Sanderson.
OH! And one more teacher. Mr. Webb....ooooh, la, la. What a hunk!!
HOOTIN ANNI: How I loved these stories, and I reveled in remembering how handwriting used to be an actual class unto itself. I can't even write in cursive on my smart board anymore because the kids aren't taught it and they don't know how to read it. The teachers you described had the right balance of structure and freedom of thought.
DeleteAnd the Mr. Webbs of the schools always made it enjoyable to go to class!
Second Grade Bathroom Drama:
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a second grader, I accidentally flushed the hard, brown paper towel I used to dry my hands. I meant to throw it in the trash can, but I felt rushed that day and for some reason my aim was off and it landed in the toilet. Being in a rush, I pressed the old handle and down it went. I didn't think too much about it, being in a hurry to get back to my seat before the bell rang. I made it just in time! The bell rang, and seconds later, an announcement from the principal came over the P.A. system. The announcement asked for all students to refrain from flushing paper towel down the toilet as the entire plumbing system was in danger of backing up.
Imagine my red face, sitting in that chair! I sat there in mortified embarrassment thinking that the school would be flooded with sewage and IT WAS ALL MY FAULT.
How did they know what just happened?
The announcement was like the voice of GOD HIMSELF.
Somehow I managed to make it through the rest of the day, and came home with my head down. My father immediately picked up on my shame and confronted me with his stern look. There was no way to ever tell a lie to my father. So I explained what happened and he said that I must be accountable, even if it was an accident. He said that mom would drive me to school early the next day so that I could tell my teacher what happened.
The next morning arrived. I felt sick, shaky, nervous and ashamed. This was a traumatic experience for me, who wanted more than anything for my wonderful teacher Mrs. Scotten to love me.
She had white curly hair, pretty dresses with flowers, red lipstick and the most perfect cursive writing. She was kind, and encouraged me in art (I won a blue ribbon for a chalk drawing of Sad Willie the Clown that year) and poetry. She told me to keep writing poetry all my life.
But I was still a child, and as I faced her closed door that morning, my stomach was in knots, my knees were weak and shaky. When she heard my soft knock, she came to welcome me in with her usual kind face, which was slightly confused about my early arrival. She had been sitting at one of the tables with a plate of jelly doughnuts and the morning paper. The morning sunlight was spreading through the windows. Her white hair looked like a cloud of cotton. She smiled and asked me to sit down. Then she offered me a jelly doughnut. At her gift, and my guilt, I started to cry and the story spilled out. Her reaction was to tell me that this wasn't a big deal, and to forgive myself for such a minor accident. She said that while she appreciated my honesty, this was nothing to worry about anymore.
Her kindness, and comfort, and love healed my little heart! Just this year, my mother sent me all of my report cards. I so enjoyed reading what Mrs. Scotten had written about me in that neat, handwritten cursive. She was someone who loved all the children and made them feel special.
Jenny: Oh, how I felt for you as you described it- I had something similar that just ate at me when I was in 4th grade. All the worry and stress over a minor incident, yet covered in love by such a sweet, kind teacher. I am struck again by how much power a teacher holds to truly make or break a child. It's really amazing, and how beautiful when it's used for the good.
DeleteThis is such a great story, and of course so very well written, and I loved reading it. Thank you!
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Compassionate acts have more power than we realize. I think I've forgotten many of the unkind things that happened, but I always remember the loving acts.
DeleteJenny: Compassion and kindness have the power to obliterate evil. And you're right- I think it is the acts of kindness that always stay with us, while hopefully the others fade~
DeleteI got in a fight with my best friends my junior year of high school and they bullied the crap out of me, my Social Teacher Mr. McPeak saw it happening and he took me into his classroom every morning until I got the situation resolved to talk about it with me and help calm me down so i could make it through my school day. He was ALWAYS there for me, I even continued to visit him years after I graduated until he retired. He saved me that year and will always be close to my heart.
ReplyDeleteJulie: He gave you a safe refuge, which every classroom should be. I hate bullying more than just about anything in schools. I'm glad he was there for you. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteMy Honors English teacher, Ms. Gill, really encouraged me to get into writing. We had to write these journals, and she wrote that she "enjoyed every word". This encouraged me more than anything, and I thank her for encouraging me like that.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Gina: What a great thing for her to say, and I know she meant it. A little encouragement really does go a long way, and your story helps me to remember that any effort at encouraging someone is never wasted. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteMany of my science teachers made science so fun. I know now that there's a lot of work involved in keeping students interested and excited. It's the mark of a special teacher!
ReplyDeleteLydia: Sometimes I feel like I need to tap dance AND stand on my head. Or just come dressed as a video game character. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteShelly, What a good question! One of my high school teachers noticed that my winter coat was old and worn out (it had been given to me from a church second-hand bag.) She -anonymously - sent me the money to buy a warm, new coat. I later learned who it was who had blessed me (not from her, but in spite of her secrecy :) and I sent her a letter to thank her. She was so gracious. It wasn't just about the subject she taught - although she was a good teacher - but she was an even better person, and I wanted to grow up to be just like her.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you - and I'll be praying that your presentation goes beautifully.
Marsha
Marsha: I love what that teacher did, and that you took the time to send her a thank you letter. I think you emulate her pretty well. Thank you for the prayers and for sharing, my friend!
DeleteHad a Spanish teacher who would drive me home from school, now and then. Unfortunately, he was a terrible driver, so only accepted if desperate.
ReplyDeleteAlong These Lines: Ha!!! I would do the same. Thank you for stopping by and sharing!
DeleteThis is a salute to male teachers.
ReplyDeleteThe first one I had was in 6th grade, where I was new to the school and to the city and state. He built my self-esteem by letting me, a shy child, help him grade the papers of the other students. I was ahead of most of them, so I was capable of doing so, but it still made me feel special. Perhaps he sensed that I needed the attention and a message that said, "You have potential." I've always remembered him.
Another male teacher who helped me was a college professor. There was a class that I took as a senior (I think it was Linear Algebra), that I did horribly in. Because I was already interviewing for jobs as a computer programmer (in high demand back then), I needed to pass the class in order to graduate. I was desperate, so I asked for extra credit, practically at the n-th hour and he gave me something to do - hardly enough to increase my grade by much, but I passed. I appreciated him seeing me as a person who needed to move on and to get my life started.
My daughters began to have male teachers when they entered middle school. They always liked them; even the ones whose classes were difficult. Most of the "guys" who ranged in age from 28 to 68 were able to able to command a certain respect. I'm sure there were "school girl crushes" and seeing some as "daddy figures," to keep their interest at times, but mainly I noticed a push that they gave the kids by methods beyond the call of duty.
I wish there were more male teachers.
I don't know if you've received this in time to consider it for your presentation, however, thanks for the opportunity to reminisce and appreciate.
And though I'm just getting to know you, thank you, too, for your dedication to our youth because I know you deserve it!
Anita: This is wonderful, and the few male teachers we have on our staff will definitely appreciate it. They tell me they do feel outnumbered! I love the stories you shared here. Kids need male role models, and it's a pity more men don't go into teaching.
DeleteThank you for your very kind words and for sharing!
I just stumbled throughout your blog as I had been looking on Yahoo. I need to thanks for using the time for you to share your ideas in your weblog. I will be sure to bookmark your website for long term reading through.
ReplyDeleteAC Milan: Thank you~
DeleteDay 1 of 6th year, final year in second level education in Ireland, myself and a pal, for the first time ever, bravely decided to be one of the 'cool girls' and bagged ourselves 2 seats in the back row. In comes Sr Mary, a nun who taught us French, who takes one look and gently but firmly directed us to the front row, right in front of her! Even then I knew she was doing us a favour, not letting us get 'distracted'(!)and behind in our final year! She was a very kind nun and showed me a lot of kindness that year.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck with your plans for your final Teacher's Presentation, I 'm sure it will be fabulous. And bittersweet too, no doubt.
xx Jazzy
jazzygal: Sometimes those things we hate at the time turn out to be very good. I'm glad you are able to appreciate it now and that she showed you kindness. It goes such a long way! Thank you!
DeleteActually it is a teacher I have never met but followed for a long time on blog land. Susan Carpenter is a teacher at Summers-Knoll Elementary School in Ann Arbor, Michigan and consistently makes learning fun and exciting for her children in ways that totally amaze me and reading about their accomplishments thrill me and let me know that they will forever be rewarded for the time they spend with her.
ReplyDeleteYou can read for yourself at
http://susan-carpenter.blogspot.com/2013/04/look-what-happened.html
Odie
Odie: Thank you, my friend- I shall head over there and pay a visit!
DeleteI really wasn't a fan of school when I was younger but come to think of it, I did have a couple of very good teachers that were very patient with me. They took the time and trouble to always say hello inside and outside of school. They always asked about my welfare, properly checked if my homework was done and also had no fear to correct me when I did something wrong. Sometimes as a child you have more respect for the teachers that chastise you when you're wrong but also give you credit when credit is due.
ReplyDeleteRum-Punch Drink: It's those little things that make the difference. I find I remember more of those small things in great detail. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteI have two.
ReplyDeleteMy kindergarten/1st grade teacher made me feel special. She taught with a lightness and sense of fun that helped me overcome my shyness and participate in class. She allowed me to read to the class during story time on occasion, and I still remember how empowering it was to sit in that big teacher's chair and read to my class. Like a grown-up. She thought I was funny and bright, making me feel that way about myself even when I didn't fit in with the other girls in my class.
When I was home sick with chicken pox, she helped arrange for our class Valentine's Day party to take place at my house. This could only happen in a tiny school district back when people held "Chicken Pox Parties" to expose their young children to the virus. I will never forget how happy I was to have a school party AT MY HOUSE. She called me Famous Amos, and still does when I run into her in my home town. She is a small woman, and I can never get over how tiny she is in real life compared to how in my memory she is bigger than life.
My high school literature teacher was a stern woman with little tolerance for BS. She had high expectations, and a fierce attention to detail, but was sincere with her praise. I had her for Heroes in Literature, British Literature, and AP English. Despite the fact that I took other AP classes, the time in her classroom was the only thing from high school that prepared me for college-level courses.
Her exacting expectations also helped prepare me for a career in management. She taught me that if you have high expectations, some people won't like you. But they will respect you.
I hope my comments aren't too late!!
Amy: No, not too late! I remember those Chicken Pox parties. Shoot, I remember chicken pox- all the itchy mess of it.
DeleteYou shared such wonderful stories of teachers who really do make a difference. I like what you said about teaching with lightness and fun. That's what I try to inject each day, although some days it's not east. I'm so glad you had people like these in your life, helping to give you that steady foundation of who you are.
Thank you for sharing!
The teacher I remember most fondly was a young woman who looked like Snow White - beautiful, with pale, pearl skin and jet black hair. She was kind, soft-spoken and when she smiled love came shining through. This was in 2nd grade. I once picked flowers from someone's yard and took them to her. She lived down the block from me.
ReplyDeleteBelle: To have a teacher so beautiful she looked like Snow White would be every kid's dream. I love how you speak of her and remember her still.
DeleteThank you, friend!
My Hindi language teacher let me do peer teaching because she thought that I had the potential to teach.
ReplyDeleteMunir: I do think you have the gift of teaching, after reading your wonderfully informative posts. Have you ever wanted to?
DeletePS. Is every thing OK with every one you know Texas?
ReplyDeleteMunir: Thank you for asking, my friend. We are about 8 hours away from West, but we have friends who live about 12 miles away from there and they say it is just a wasteland, complete devastation. So very tragic...
DeleteThe teachers that I remember and admire the most are my English and French teachers from HS. They treated us with respect and friendship which in turn made us want to deserve that treatment. I really loved them!
ReplyDeleteMore recently, you may remember me writing briefly on Spencer's caring bridge site about his kindergarten teacher. She was unbelievable. She came to the hospital (3 hour round trip) four different times to teach Spencer his phonics lessons. She also sent him gifts and cards and helped arrange for video chats with the class. When he came back to school she ordered t-shirts for all of the kindergarten children to wear that said, "Heart-Felt Friends". Extra mile and then some!! The teachers of my other kids were amazing as well during that time. Paige's 3rd grade teacher sent home a "fun pack" full of treats and toys and a DVD, every Friday for the girls. And the middle school teachers and counselors kept close tabs on Nicole and Corinne knowing that their home life was chaotic for a time. I was SO grateful for this!
Felt Family: I love how they came through for your family in a time of crisis, and didn't forget the girls, too. I'm sure it gave all the kids a sense of security through that time. Spencer's teacher who made the trip several times to the hospital sounds amazingly special.
DeleteI'm glad you had those two memorable teachers. It is very true- you treat people as you want them to be and they will rise to the expectations.
Hope you all are doing well- thank you for sharing, my friend!
Sorry that I've been away and not reading your sweet blog for a month or so, I was moving to a new apartment with all the hassels, and I am still fixing and unpacking all the boxes "which SUX"
ReplyDeleteI missed reading your blog :D
XoXo
http://abudhabifood.blogspot.com
LoLy: So glad to hear you are moved and settled- thanks for dropping by!
DeleteWhen I think of my teachers two stand out in my mind one was Mr Kerr who I had in 4th and 6th class yeah I had him twice and the other is Mr Cox but him I remember for all the wrong reasons he was a right prick........
ReplyDeleteJo-Anne: I'm glad you had Mr. Kerr to balance out the bad of Mr. Cox. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteI'm so excited for you, Shelly!
ReplyDeleteI often give teachers books or something book-related. When Scholastic has those multi-book specials, I usually take advantage.
One of my favorite teachers was Mr. Baldwin. I had him for 10th grade English and he was also my driver's ed teacher in the summer. I also had a very supportive art teacher--Mrs. Simpson in high school. I saw her a few years ago, and it broke my heart to tell her I hadn't gone into art, but did write.
Theresa: Your Mr. Baldwin sounds terrific, and similar to an English teacher I had in high school who was also a health teacher. Did you ever get to tell him you write?
DeleteAnd giving teachers books or something book related is something I'm already doing, in clearing my my 1,000+ book classroom collection. I think most teachers would think of books as the perfect treasure! Thank you for sharing~
Mr. Murphy was my history teacher in junior high and then became principal. I was very shy, but he'd always pick me to do little errands. "Who wants to measure a table in the cafeteria for the tablecloths we'll be ordering for the reception?" "Who wants to go to my car and bring back the extension cord I brought for the projector?" While other students would eagerly raise their hands for these brief out of classroom excursions,I never would. But he'd say, "I'll let Maria do it." Just his way of making a timid person feel special:).
ReplyDeleteMaria: Mr. Murphy sounds like just the teacher we all need- comforting and safe, yet pushing us a little farther each time. I'm so glad you had him, and thank you for sharing!
DeleteOh I think I am too late to help you out with this!!! I loved all of my kids teachers--we got lucky and had such good ones. I used to love to draw the posters for them and I loved reading to the younger children. The nicest things the teachers did for us was one on one tutoring for free and often they wanted our kids to be able to go on the big field trips that we could not afford so they found a way to get our kids on the trips for free. I always made baked goods in return and volunteered in the classrooms twice a week plus took home papers to grade for them---if you can save them a few hours each week they really love and appreciate that.
ReplyDeletemenopausal mama: You sound like the dream parent! Seriously! I know how much they appreciate that, and how terrific that your kids have them in their lives. A win-win! Thank you for sharing this!
DeleteTue, Apr 23, 2013 04:01 PM PST
ReplyDeleteShelly, I see that I am too late to send in an example, but I would love to know how the year end party went. How does it feel to be officially retired? I think that you will love being able to get up and go to bed whenever you want. :-) Lorna
Lorna: No, it's not too late as I have till Friday, and although I'm really looking forward to it, I'm not officially retired until the end of the school year, in about four weeks. I am really going to love the freedom you speak of!
DeleteFirst of all, I thought you should know that every time I click on your blog, I know I'll be uplifted in some way. It is literally positive energy in pixels.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, congratulations on your opportunity! I have no doubt you will be inspiring and do a great job. Please tell us how it went when you get the chance.
Teachers have been integral in battling my self-doubt. My high school English teacher had us write essays but if they weren't done well, he gave us the opportunity to rewrite until they were. In between drafts, he would meet with students individually and ask them why they think they hadn't done their work justice the first time. It turned out that every student had unique set of reasons---laziness, lack of motivation, self doubt, confusion, etc. Although he was the toughest teacher at our school, he instilled a deep respect for English among all types of students.
Saumya: Oh, thank you! What kind words!
DeleteIt will be sometime next week when the teachers get to see it, so I will let you all know, although I'm sure with all these heartening stories they are going to love it!
I love how your English teacher held people accountable, but in a good way. And I can see his lessons really stayed with his students. He must be very proud of you. Thank you for sharing!
kindness and encouragement...I think I have seen those traits in EVERY ONE of my kids teachers at one time or another!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnnemarie Pipa: Two of the best and requisite qualities for every teacher- thank you!
DeleteHi Shelly,
ReplyDeleteI'm late for your presentation but.....a teacher who inspired me to strive for higher education and not just to settle for being stuck in a rut of unfulfilled ambition is someone I remember thirty years later. In middle age, I'm two thirds on the way to getting my bachelor's degree, all because of her.
Maria's Book Blog
Maria: Congratulations! I'm so thankful you had her in your life. Stories like this make the often times hard job of teaching worth it all.
ReplyDeleteYes most definitely!! My high school psychology teacher really showed a special intererst in me and helped me realize my potential!!
ReplyDeleteOptimistic Existentialist: That's what the best teachers do, reveal potential. I'm so glad you had him/her~
DeleteOh my goodness, looks like you've got a ton of input, so not sure if this is helpful, but my mom was a dedicated teacher for 40+ yrs., and my favorite thing about her was how she always gave dedicated, individual attention to her students, and I saw how much this meant to them...:)
ReplyDeleteMeredith: Oh my goodness- 40 years! That is amazing! I love hearing about her special attention to each and every student. I know she's made the difference in countless lives. Thank you for sharing!
DeleteI wish I had something, but alas, I do not. Judging by what I've seen here, you will come up with something epic and moving...
ReplyDeletePat: Thank you, though!
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