My Tribute to Teachers

 

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Around the first of November, I saw a Facebook video that showed empathy for teachers—especially during this time of year.

Right now they are expected to perform miracles in the midst of a post-Halloween sugar binge, a time change adjustment, post-election highs and lows, pre-Christmas excitement, etc. In addition, they have to worry about assessments! I remember these days, and I feel empathy for my teacher friends who are still in the trenches. Bless you!

I am thankful to the Master Teacher for my life, my family, my health, my career, my church, my everything.

I am also thankful for my own teachers, and I want to take a moment to recognize some of those who have had an impact on my life.

Mrs. McCarley, thank you for teaching me to read and for having compassion for me when I wet my pants in your 1st grade class.

Mrs. Knox, thank you for teaching me to spell and love words and love you.

Mrs. Bozeman, thank you for being strict and making me learn math. I didn’t like you then, but now I think you were awesome!

Mrs. Filson, thank you for teaching me history and casting me in the role of Rachel Donelson.

Miss Henderson, thank you for teaching me to improve my cursive handwriting and for writing back to me when I sent you a retirement letter thirty years later.

Mr. Mallory, thank you for teaching me states and capitals. Even though you counted off because you thought I had spelled Wyoming with an x because I closed my n, I still appreciate you. Who in her right mind would spell Wyoming with an x?? But you caused me to pay attention to my n’s afterwards.

Mr. Young, thank you for having enough confidence in me to ask me to mentor the younger kids.

Miss Sadie Mae McMahan, thank you for triggering the math genes in my right-brained personality and for helping me make an almost-perfect score on the math ACT.

Mrs. St. Clair, thank you for teaching me how to understand grammar and how to write. I wanted to be just like you.

Dr. McDaniel, thank you for teaching me to have passion for my subject matter.

I recently spoke with a teacher friend who needed to vent about the restrictions and frustrations in today’s public schools. She was concerned about how she might still make a difference if she retires. I reassured her that the impact she has made, like ripples in a pond, will continue to make a difference.

Her kids will remember her just as I have remembered those of you who have made a difference in my life.

“In your teaching show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned.” –Titus 2:7

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