They not only teach our children, but they form and shape the little minds which they teach. No one would be where they are today, or who they are today, without the help of the teachers who taught them. It is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I have several teachers to thank. First all of my teachers who put up with me in school deserve medals. I was the one who was always talking to others, always being creative and who was always decorating my papers with extra designs. These teachers had the hard ask of keeping me from being board in class, of keeping me focused and helping me to realize my potential. I was also the one who stood up to the bullies. I was the smallest, so they thought I was an easy target. No so much.
It is Teacher Appreciation Week, and I have several teachers to thank. First all of my teachers who put up with me in school deserve medals. I was the one who was always talking to others, always being creative and who was always decorating my papers with extra designs. These teachers had the hard ask of keeping me from being board in class, of keeping me focused and helping me to realize my potential. I was also the one who stood up to the bullies. I was the smallest, so they thought I was an easy target. No so much.
My mother told me that if I faught back, if I didn’t draw blood I couldn’t come home. It was a different time then and kids did not get into trouble for fighting back or defending themselves. And at that age, you are sure your parents know everything. I did as I was told. I warned the bullies three times to stop or I would fight back. They usually laughed. But then the three warnings were up and that was it. What do you do with a kid who is being bullied but who warns the bullies three times before doing anything? The teachers had their hands full. My 5th grade science teacher, Mr. Sanders. Sparked my interest in science and all the mysteries that the world holds. He encouraged children to be curious and was the first person I ever remember hearing say that there were no stupid questions. He did fun classroom experinments and kept all of us guessing. My 7th grade English teach, Ms. Childs, was next.
My 5th grade science teacher, Mr. Sanders. Sparked my interest in science and all the mysteries that the world holds. He encouraged children to be curious and was the first person I ever remember hearing say that there were no stupid questions. He did fun classroom experinments and kept all of us guessing. My 7th grade English teach, Ms. Childs, was next.
She was sweet and encouraged me to write poetry. She would patiently read my juvenile poetry and write encouraging little notes. My Freshman year of Highschool I had a huge crush on her son. I dreamt of being her daughter-in-law, but alas, it was not to be. Once in highschool there were a number of teachers who helped me. My freshman math teacher, Mr. Lee, took pity on me and let me do extra credit assignments because I tried so hard to be good at algebra, but just wasn’t. Same with my sophomore Chemistry teacher. Stoikiometry kicked my tail and he let me come into class early and do extra credit labs to keep my grade up.
Once in highschool there were a number of teachers who helped me. My freshman math teacher, Mr. Lee, took pity on me and let me do extra credit assignments because I tried so hard to be good at algebra, but just wasn’t. Same with my sophomore Chemistry teacher. Stoikiometry kicked my tail and he let me come into class early and do extra credit labs to keep my grade up.
After graduation he said that he understood that some kids just weren’t good at math, but excelled in other areas. He never wanted to punish a child for not being “math minded,” so he would work with them as long as they put forth the effort. My sophomore Social Studies teacher was the first to encourage me to reach higher. He pulled me aside and said that I was too smart for his class level, and that I should apply for advanced classes. He would sponsor me if I did. I was shocked.
My sophomore Social Studies teacher was the first to encourage me to reach higher. He pulled me aside and said that I was too smart for his class level, and that I should apply for advanced classes. He would sponsor me if I did. I was shocked.
I applied and got in. Mrs. Lawrence, my junior Social studies teacher was amazing and fun. She seemed to know everything and made history interesting. We all especially enjoyed the week she showed the movies about the Salem Witch Trails. She made us work hard though and taught us that hard work can also be a lot of fun. My sophomore English teacher was another one who encouraged my writing. She would also take the time to look at all my writings and make comments. As busy as teachers are, I don’t know how, or why, she made the time. But she did. And I loved it. I soaked it all up like a big sponge. My senior English teachers were next – Mrs. Moser and Mrs. Hickox. Oh, they were tough. We had to write essays every week, in addition to our regular work in the class. And a research paper each month that was 10 pages at minimum. They read The Canterbury Tales to us in original Olde English. I had never heard it before and it was beautiful. And then there was having to memorize and perform Shakespeare – and if we got anything wrong, we would fail Senior English and would not be allowed to graduate.
My sophomore English teacher was another one who encouraged my writing. She would also take the time to look at all my writings and make comments. As busy as teachers are, I don’t know how, or why, she made the time. But she did. And I loved it. I soaked it all up like a big sponge. My senior English teachers were next – Mrs. Moser and Mrs. Hickox. Oh, they were tough. We had to write essays every week, in addition to our regular work in the class. And a research paper each month that was 10 pages at minimum. They read The Canterbury Tales to us in original Olde English. I had never heard it before and it was beautiful. And then there was having to memorize and perform Shakespeare – and if we got anything wrong, we would fail Senior English and would not be allowed to graduate.
I have never worked so hard in my life. Mrs. Moser invited me, and some other students, to go on a trip to Canada with her. IT was her personal trip, and she did not have to take any kids at all. But she did. And it was a wonderful experience. It was supposed to be England, but the Gulf war broke out and she was afraid that it wasn’t safe to travel oversees. We had a blast. She was fun and gracious and generous. My best teacher by far was my mother. She is the reason that I am a writer. She read to me as a child and fueled the desire to not only read, but write stories of my own. She taught me how important it was to use my imagination and tell stories. She reviewed all of my writings before they were turned into my teachers. She taught me that no matter what your education level, no matter what you want to do in life, you can accomplish anything if you can speak and write well. She was right. So thank yu to all of my wonderful teachers. I loved all of you.
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