05.04.2016

As I scroll through social media tonight, I keep seeing posts about Teacher Appreciation--students recognizing current teachers and adults reminiscing about former teachers--all of which make me nostalgic. Teacher Appreciation Week can come and go, and I wouldn't realize it, if not for the Monday morning breakfast, candy bar in my mailbox, ice cream and brownie faculty meeting, and later this week our PTC will provide lunch for us.  All very nice gestures, and I appreciate each one, but that isn't the appreciation that means the most to me.  It's hearing from former students who genuinely tell me how much my classes meant to them.  It's the invitations to college graduations....invitations to weddings...the sweet messages and visits I receive on random days of the year that truly let me know I am appreciated.  So, with that being said, I want to thank the multitude of educators who impacted my life:

1. Mrs. Batchelor, my first grade teacher.  She made learning fun.
2. Mrs. Grosh (not sure of the spelling), my second grade teacher.  That's the year we realized they had divided us into three levels: gifted, average, and slow.
3. Mrs. Haynes, my third grade teacher.  She's responsible for my handwriting skills, and I always give her credit when people compliment my writing.
4. Mrs. Tilson, one of my fifth grade teachers, who once said that she liked how I sat quietly in class, listened, then formulated my opinion.
5. Mrs. Whitfield, one of my sixth grade teachers.  She was an amazing teacher, who truly showed her students how to live good lives.
6. Mr. Gladney, junior high science teacher.  He made science an amazing subject to learn.
7. Mrs. Curtis, junior high social studies teacher, who introduced the stock market game to us long before computers, apps, and the Internet.  We followed our stock by reading newspapers.

While I had many inspirational teachers at Wills High School, one of the most inspiring was Miss Baker, and she is the reason I became an English teacher.  Miss Baker did strange things, but she brought literature to life and encouraged our writing.  A few years ago as I taught a gifted summer academy at Kennesaw State University, I had the privilege of seeing Miss Baker on campus.  She and her husband were attending a continuing education class....retired and still learning.  One amazing lady!

I love learning.  I always have.  If I didn't have to earn a living, I would be a full time student.  My love for learning blossomed because of the many teachers who loved teaching me just like I enjoy teaching today.  Yes, being a teacher isn't easy--I don't think it's ever been easy.  Yes, waking up at 5:20 and arriving at work by 7:20 and leaving sometime between 4:30 and 5:00 isn't easy.  It's exhausting.  Yes, teachers deserve more of everything....better pay....more respect....better students....nicer parents....more support....BUT...when it's all said and done, I would not trade my job for anything.  I receive a decent salary....I receive more respect than not....I teach some really wonderful students (this year)....received a really nice email from a parent today....and have a supportive department and administrators (this year).

See, teaching is about more than just teaching.  I witness their entrance into high school and (God willing) their exit at graduation.  And, if I'm really lucky, I receive updates about their lives via social media, random emails, and surprise visits.  If you had a teacher that inspired you, please take the time to let him or her know. ❤️