A thank you to teachers...

This blog, as with many others, started with a small gift. That gift came in the form of an essay from a former student. In it he said things about me that I am not sure were true, but I was touched to think that he thought so highly of me. In true Karen fashion, I cried for about an hour, thanked him profusely and began to think about the role of a teacher. While my grandma was a teacher (and someone I never actually had the pleasure of meeting), teaching is not really what you would say is in my blood,. Aside from myself and few other recent family members, I don't come from a long line of educators. I am not sure why I always wanted to be a teacher; I just know that since 6th grade, no other job seemed like a real possibility. Even though there were days that I was sure I could be an undercover agent for the CIA, I quickly realized in my late teens that I scare too easy and I probably can't keep secrets all THAT well. With all that being said, I can only imagine that the reason that I am a teacher is because of the amazing people who taught me. I thought this would be a nice time to reflect on those people.

I was never an amazing student. I didn't overwhelm myself with AP classes or study many dedicated hours. School came pretty easily to me and I did what I had to do to do well but not excellent. Even with this history, my perspective is much like a fairy tale. When I watch movies and even listen to others, I have seen examples of those 'horrible teachers'. The 'Ms, Trunchbull' or 'Sue Sylvester' like figures who threw kids out windows and supported bullying. For me, those figures seemed to be made up because I was lucky enough to never experience those. My teachers were much better represented by Ms. Honey, Mr. Turner or Mr. Schuester (if you know these references, you know what I mean). Sure there were some that weren't my favorite and some that I didn't understand what they were doing or I giggled at little idiosyncrasies but overall I was always really happy with my teachers. However, there were some teachers that left lifelong impacts. 

The first would have to be my 6th grade teacher, Mr. Carr.  He was a man that made school fun. While I learned many great lessons and his work was challenging, being in his classroom was just easy. All the students got along and had a mutual respect for each other but more than that we all wanted to be there. It was also inspiring how he seemed to truly enjoy his job each and every day. I didn't know that there were people who had a profession that made them so happy and for so long. I also loved how much he cared for every one of his students. That year posed some tough moments in my childhood and no matter the issue he was always there to be supportive. Over the next 6 years, I continued to be very thankful for the educators who were part of my life.  There was an art teacher, Ms. Yost, who helped me find my inner artist which I was sure didn't exist and let me hang out after school just cause I wanted to. There was a math teacher, Mrs. Tyndall, who made every class seem exciting and who brought me out of the previous year where I didn't do so well in advanced math. She forced me to achieve my potential and always did it with a smile on her face. There was also the history teacher, Mr. Monfiletto, who always held me accountable, required me to be a better person and when my junior year ended with a car crash, he showed me empathy in a way no one else did. He proved that you could hold a standard and still have. compassion. There was my psychology teacher, Mr. Gosselin, who made things seem interesting me, inspired me to work harder and go for excellence. There was my freshman English teacher, Ms. Heine, who inspired me to read my first difficult book..a book that is a favorite to this day.

There were many others; they ranged from all subjects and all personalities. Their one common trait was that they loved their job, they tried to teach me to be excellent and they cared about the person I was and whatever I was going through. What a special gift they were to me both on good days and bad. I didn't have to be the best student, best athlete, best leader; they all cared about me just the same. To turn these relationships into even more of a blessing, some of them are now my closest friends. That psychology teacher and I have breakfast once a week to discuss the world and laugh about life. That art teacher is a gift at so many lunch periods, and that math teacher still believes in my abilities and gifts to this day. That history teacher has seen me through some of my darkest hours and that English teacher laughs with me and helps me create some of the best lessons I have ever taught. I get to spend every day at work with some of the most incredible people. What I have also discovered that teachers are not only good for students but they are good for friends. Teachers have intelligence and compassion. They are witty, charming and sometimes extremely odd.  Some of those finer educators are my chosen family; I really couldn't have it any other way.

Some would read this and roll their eyes. Sure there are good teachers, but there are surely bad ones as well. Yes, true. There are bad and good of everything: lawyers, doctors, politicians, Starbucks workers, sanitation workers. In a time of the world where education is more criticized than ever before and tests, standards and evaluations are on everyone's mind it is hard to see the light. I want to offer some anecdote of positivity. You don't have to agree with it, believe it...most will never read it. That anecdote is that the world is filled with many talented and dedicated teachers. From my friend who helps tutor kids in Germany, to my friend and cousin in So.Cal, to my friends in Vegas, to some of my best friends and mentors in the world here in Minden: they all are working hard to create the same memories for kids that I have had in my past. I challenge you to NOT have one of these memories. I bet you can remember some teacher who made you better if even in the slightest way. Most would probably hav a story of threir Ms. Honey, Mr. Turner, or Mr. Schuester. 

So I will decicate this blog to all the teachers who have helped me throughout the past years, both as teachers and friends. Also, to that special ex-student, now my dear friend, who genuinely has faith in me no matter what. Thanks for reminding me why I became a teacher and reminding me of those inspired me along the way and still do.

Thankful,

Karen