This week has been a bit focused on the teaching profession. Someone along the way decided that we need a week devoted to "Teacher Appreciation". So each May since my oldest started school, I try to make sure I "appreciate" the ladies and gentlemen that I entrust to educate and academically guide my three kiddos.
Back in my elementary school years, there wasn't a week dedicated to this outward showing of appreciation. But nevertheless my mom had her gestures of thanks to my teachers. The most visual of these gestures was the Christmas red velvet cake. For the teachers that were lucky enough...smile...to have both me and my sister, their holidays were filled with anticipation as the last day before winter break approached. My mom's red velvet cakes were and still are pretty famous in Carthage.
I know my parents went above and beyond to make sure our teachers knew they were appreciated and valued. But I think it took me becoming a teacher myself, and even more so a parent of a student, to realize how special educators are.
See if I am honest, I can tell you that there are still many things that arise during any given week that bring to mind many specific things I heard my former teachers say, do, and teach.
Just a few weeks back I accompanied Sadie's first grade class to a natural history museum. Investigating the T-Rex skeleton with my first grader, took me back to the melody that filled Mrs. Carver's classroom.
"Tyrannosaurus Rex was a very mean king, and if it wasn't for him we'd have a happy ending."
When I eat a fried cherry pie I remember the fun and laughter had in Mrs. Hutchins second grade class. She made learning fun and made this kindergarten and first grade cry baby fall in love with school.
The acronym V.I.P. always brings to mind Mrs. Owens. She had a way of making each one of us feel loved. And it didn't hurt that we played kick ball a lot!
If we give a birthday or Christmas gift to a fourth grader, it's always one of two books...Anne of Green Gables or Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. My fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Harper, read to us each day after lunch. These were my favorite two books. Her after lunch reading time was my favorite part of the day.
When my two oldest come home with new knowledge of American history, I can still hear Mrs. Davis talk about the Civil War. And when they have a writing assignment, I feel prepared to help them due to the teaching of ladies like Mrs. Rich.
I am thankful that each time I read from the book of Proverbs, I can still hear the sweet voice of Mrs. Kathy Kemp and see her standing at her podium in Junior English class. And I am thankful that when I find myself in step to the background music of life, I have fond memories of Mr. Dowell. When I prepare a meal and take care of my home, I still relate back to the good teaching of Mrs. Lee.
As I have studied my profession throughout the years, I have found myself smiling with the realization, that yes, science does have something to do with my career and life. Ms. Honey was right all along.
And then there are those teachers that I have carried with me almost daily during certain seasons in life. You know the ones you want to make proud and pattern your life after. When I was in a classroom teaching I found myself teaching like Mrs. Connie Massey and immitating my ways after hers. When I explained things to my students, and continue to explain things to my kids at home, I go back to her advice and expertise.
And when I think about how I wanted my classroom to feel, how I wanted to be the teacher but also the friend, how I have wanted to carry myself in and out of the classroom, I had and have the memories of Mrs. Fulton and the comfort of her classroom. I think of how the words of encouragement, and even at times frankness, fell from her mouth with grace and love.
These teachers, and the many more that I haven't mentioned but also learned so very much from, made me who I am. They changed my life. They have helped me be a good student, a prepared college graduate, a fellow teacher, a wife and mother, and a better person from their instruction, example, and leadership.
Today I smile with that realization, and I am blessed to be able to identify that now in order to witness the miraculous work that is going on in my own school age children.
It amazes me to see how Mrs. Holly and Ms. Taylor have helped Sadie become a fluent reader. They enjoy and love her personality almost as much as I do and that means more than anything to this mom!
The encouragement and confidence Nancy Caroline has gained from women like Ms. Alysia, Ms. Loftis, and Ms. Mathis can not be matched. She will be a strong leader and secure in her decisions thanks to their guidance.
Jackson has been loved so well by ladies like Mrs. Jessica, Mrs. Smith, and Mrs. Gannon. The patience they have shown with his speech beautifully assisted his therapists with his development and growth.
He will always know learning is important and fun thanks to teachers like Dr. Odom and Mr. Parker. And I am thankful he has men like Mr. Smith to look up to and model his life after.
Principals and educators like Mrs. Bonnie Patterson and Ms. Sebrena Wade will forever be friends and champions of my children. Relational living is a huge part of teaching!
Our three have learned so much from ALL of their teachers, therapists, and tutors, even though I do not call them all by name here. Our community of educators in our family's life is counted a huge blessing!
The role that teachers play in our lives is taken for granted in many cases. The good teachers, the great ones are under appreciated, under valued, and under paid. I know first hand how much imagination, creativity, patience, and time most teachers give. They devote their lives to finding wonderful ways to fill children with the knowledge and abilities to make the world a better place filled with better people.
This devotion doesn't only happen from 7am to 3pm, Monday through Friday, during the months of August through May. It takes place in Summer workshops and furthering education seminars. It happens at after school staff meetings and collaboration sessions with fellow teachers. The commitment is spent playing with kids at recess and giving tutoring sessions. The devotion can be seen at their kitchen tables and in their living room floors during the wee hours of the morning as they write lesson plans and grade papers. It occurs when they take on the added responsibility of coaching a team, leading a cheer squad, sponsoring a club, or overseeing an after school activity, even on the weekends.
When you are a teacher, you never leave your "job". A teacher takes home the burdens of the child that is malnourished or mistreated. She will wake up at night wondering if some of her students are happy and safe. He will find ways to make sure his students feel loved outside of the school walls. Teachers will attend recitals, ballgames, and eventually graduations. Good teachers go to bat for their students when they are being dealt something that is unfair. She ends up being the supervising teacher of the student teacher that formerly could be found on her class roll. Some become wedding guests and friends on Facebook. Former teachers celebrate babies being born and console when life is a bit tough.
Teachers, these things, all these things, this outstanding, hard, and tedious job you do with such love and enthusiasm...it is appreciated and respected and admired.
Thank you to the teachers who have, have had, and continue to care for, educate, and guide my children. You have answered a calling that is esteemed and appreciated by so many, including this mother of three. I entrust you with my greatest blessings, and on occasion if I get a bit bent out of shape or overbearing, I apologize. I pray for you and the school in which you work every morning and every night. I ask that you pray for me as I mother. And I promise to make sure that the Thomas kids realize and acknowledge what you have done, are doing, and will continue to do for them. In our words..."You rock!"
All the red velvet cake in the world couldn't be enough to show all of my former school teachers how much I continue to appreciate them today. Thank you for the education and guidance you provided. Not only about math, science, language arts, and everything in between found in the text books...but about living life and succeeding. Thank you for not being perfect teachers, but teachers that taught even imperfection can bring about greatness.
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