Here’s to You, Teachers!
Posted by Hope Spencer on 04 May 2009 | Posted in: Grade 1, Grades 2-3, Inspiration and Motivation, Intermediate, Kindergarten, Preschool, Teachers and Teaching, The Mailbox, The Mailbox Books
I love teachers! Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many who were really incredible. Let me tell you about a few of those special folks.
• Ms. Head was my first mentor and helped me survive—and thrive—during that all-important first year.
• Ms. Dunn taught me that the children always come first, and she introduced me to The Mailbox® magazine!
• Ms. Anderson taught me to be efficient and to make the most of each moment.
• Mr. Rotherham taught me to enjoy every minute with the children.
• Ms. Thomas taught me the meaning of team teaching and the beauty of planning together.
• Ms. Hanson helped me make my way in a new place and showed me shortcuts that helped me be my best for my students.
All of these teachers, and so many more, touched my life and made me the teacher that I am. I’m so grateful to them.
In honor of Teacher Appreciation Day, I want to give you the opportunity to tell us about one of the teachers who has touched your life. Just leave a comment telling us about this special person. And, to make this a real celebration, I’ll draw two random comments and we’ll send a copy of your choice of one book from the For Every Learner® series or one book from the Find the Match! series to the teacher who wrote the comment and the teacher who is honored in the comment! So, leave a comment by May 23 telling us about one special teacher, and I’ll email the winning teachers on May 24. Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!
| The editors at The Education Center® salute you for all you do for our children. Thank you today and every day! |  |
Congratulations to Becky Mogee of Louden, NH and M. Behnfeldt, Prince George’s County Public Schools, Greenbelt Middle Schools, Greenbelt, MD. They are the winners of a free book from The Mailbox books.
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Mrs. Jackson was my all-time favorite teacher. She introduced me to the love of reading. She was a very kind and loving, gentle teacher.
Mrs. Grammer is a co-worker who is wonderful at sharing her computer creations with the rest of the staff. She is a joy to work with.
I think there are a few teachers that have been my inspiration. Second grade Ms Anderton, and Third grade Mrs. Wheeler. Then as an adult I worked with a wonderful special ed teachers Mrs Brander. Thanks for all you have taught me.
Miss Field is a young and amazing teacher. She has been patience with me and open and honest. I took my 1st child to her school and had a lot of anxiety about it, but she seemed to be caring enough to take time out of her busy schedule to put me at ease. She has taught my child with such tenderness and kindness. I just can’t say enough nice things about her, I just think she is wonderful. I know that all of the things she taught my little child will stay with her for years to come, and I can see the excitment in my child’s eye, now she even says when she grows up she wants to be a teacher like Miss Field! :o)
the teachers who inspired me to become the person I am today. There were 2 people drew me into the teaching profession. it was Ms. boed
she whould help me with a lot in school. then is was mis wright she was my fourth my grade teacher. she was awsome she never say anything bad she would tell me I can doanything i put my mind to and to try it once at less and don’t give up. ms boed and mis wright both told me i would be a great teacher some day. so from that day i haved worked hard for were i am today. i keep tring in tell i mad it were i am today i what to say thinks to both of them. but most of all i what to say thank to all the teachers out there with out any of you no one would be where there at today. YA FOR TEACHERS!!
The teacher that impacted my life the most actually became my mom. I was in Mrs. Miller’s class in the fifth grade. I came from a rough home and didn’t think things would ever get better. When I would miss school, Mrs. Miller would make a personal visit to check on me. Then, I didn’t know the importance of that, but looking back I see the care and concern that was involved. Mrs. Miller taught me the opposite of what I was getting at home. She taught me that I was valuable, smart, and would become something special one day. Mrs. Miller spent the time it took to love me, discipline me, and create in me a desire to get out.
I was only at her school one year. I moved out of state and after three years was taken away from my mom and moved back to the city where Mrs. Miller was. Long story short….I ran into her and was having a really hard time. When given the news that I was going to be put in foster care, Mrs. Miller and her family took me in as their own. She gave me more than an education; she gave me a family and love!
The teacher that impacted my life, well actually there are two. The first one was my first grade Teacher Mrs. Matley…My father passed away when I was only 3 1/2 and when I went to kindergarten I was very immature and still trying as a young child to understand what happened to my Daddy. My kindergarten teacher told my Mother that I was possible and I quote (mildly mentally retarded) My Mom did not believe this for one moment since I have four older siblings so she knew I was learning as the others had, I just was a bit immature and “clingy”. Mrs. Matley had my Mom bring me in and she tested me (she taught first grade) She ended up telling my Mom that she felt I was struggling with leaving my Mother because of the loss of my Dad and that I was not mentally retarded and could learn with guidance and understanding. I was then able to go into her first grade class. I am now a preschool teacher, and named my daughter after Mrs. Matley because without her giving me the chance I would not be who I am today.
The second teacher that touched my life was Mrs. Godfrey. She touched my life as an adult, my son was born premature. He could have suffered from many disablities, but we were fortunate. The only disablity he suffers with is Dyslexia. Mrs. Godfrey gave him the encouragement to succeed when she taught him 4th grade. He now is going into his first year of High School and attendes a different school district, and yet Mrs. Godfrey has still supported him by traveling to his Football games to cheer him on. She will always be an angel to my family, she helped our son to see himself as we all see him…he may struggle with reading but he can achieve his dreams!!
The teacher who has impacted me most, was not actually a teacher of mine, but my cooperating teacher during my student teaching. Her name is Miss Meuten. She has made a tremendous impact on me as a teacher and as a person. She has shown me the love of teaching and the importance of having a passion for kids. Each and every student that comes in her classroom realizes that they are loved and cared for by their teacher. They show her an amazing amount of respect in return. Miss Meuten’s has great classroom management skills and has truly been an incredible role model for me. I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to work with her and follow in her footsteps.
Hi I feel I am like so many other teachers who can not just name one who inspired me. I did not have the best home life, so school was my safe place. Mrs. Jenny my 1st grade teacher who had me twice, I was held back, the years I learned to read. Mrs. Sheehan my 3rd grade teacher she greeted us everyday with smile and German. She made me feel like I could do anything because she believed in me. My 6th grade teacher Mr. Rose, He was a tall knowledgeable man. He gave me a certificate that said I would be the girl most likely to smile her way out of any situation. I am not sure if he knows how much he impacted my attitude but I have always believed he was correct. Finally, Mr. Nieghbors my senior homeroom and chemistry teacher. He also lived down the street from us. One specific day sticks out in my head, yearbook picture day. I have never been a morning person, well this day I was not there and I was on several committees and on the basketball team. Mr. Nieghbors called my house when I was not there and made sure I was there in time for all yearbook pictures, my hair is up and I am wearing a sweatshirt and sweats. Still makes me laugh to this day.
I moved around so often when I was a kid, I couldn’t begin to tell you the teacher’s names. I never saw them for more than one year, sometimes not even the full year. But almost every teacher became my friend. One of my third grade teachers was awesome! I was reading above the level of any book in that school but she found me books to extend my limits, and gave me so much confidence by having me help my peers who were having trouble with reading. I can pinpoint that moment as the beginnings of my desire to teach.
My 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Meissner, was such a dynamic teacher. She taught us creative writing with a focus on poetry. Her husband was a college professor of writing and he came in to teach us as well. Talk about having an impression made on all of us! She definitely was a teacher that prompted me to aspire to be an elementary teacher of her caliber! Still today,I use her methods to inspire young writers in my classroom with their creativity using words.
I have been blessed to have many great teachers over the years. In particular, I remember Mrs. Denbow, my second grade teacher. She was the first to give me opportunities to excel. I recall being very excited by small things like being allowed to write cursive when most of the class was still printing! Moving on into high school, my drama teacher, Mrs. Hagan, again gave me many chances to prove to myself what I could accomplish. Thanks to all teachers everywhere!
I don’t remember my kindergarten teacher’s name it was 50 years ago, but I do remember all the wonderful things we did. Fancy Easter hats, so many arts and crafts and the play that I got to be a snowflake in. It was such a joyful time in my life. There have been many wonderful teacher’s Mrs Rhinbolt my creative writing teacher at Granada High made a lasting impression on me. Diana Stewart from COC who lead our mentor seminar, is an inspiration. She works very hard to make the lives of children and teacher’s better every day, and she has a great deal of fun.
Thanks to all of my teachers and all of my childrens teachers and a speacial thanks to Mrs. Boydston who is the best.
I recently completed my first year teaching and my masters degree. This year was not an easy one but it was a wonderful one. I have enjoyed (almost) every moment with my students and have learned more than I could have imagined. I owe much of my success during my 1st year to my mentor teacher, Mrs. Hubbard. Mrs. Hubbard is patient and kind, an excellent role model and has many helpful ideas from procedures to instructional techniques. She is such blessing in my life and the lives of my students!
I have taught from 4th through 12th grade students. My most challenging position was being a Reading Specialist in a special education school that had adolescent males ages 12 - 21 who had been previously in juvenile detention as my students. If it had not been for Kimberly Marble, I don’t think that I could have gotten through some days. Many of these young men had issues with female authority, but when Kim helped me to realize their outbursts were not personal, it made all the difference in the world. I honestly can say that she has been an inspiration to me, and I just want to say thank you to her!
I too have so many teacher who inspired me to become the person I am today. These people drew me into the teaching profession. First, my grade 2 teacher, then my grades 7, 8 & 9 Home Economics teacher, then my high school drama teacher who believed in me and gave me confidence. However the teacher who inspired me the most is my high school best friend who became a teacher later in life. She is now a Special Education Resource Teacher and a Vice Principal. Because of Beth Power, I also followed suit and became the teacher that I always wanted to be but was unable to pursue until recently. The respect that she has for the students, and from the students is something that everyone deserves. Way to go Beth, and thank you so much for being such a great role model for all teachers and students who have the pleasure to learn along side of you.
It is difficult to choose only one teacher for this honor. I have been blessed with so many wise instructors over my lifetime, not just “professionals” either. But the person who stands out for me currently is Ms. Sparks. She is an inspiration to everyone who encounters her bright personality. She truly wants others to learn and feel good about learning. She is both a college educator of adult students, and a wonderful teacher/therapist of young children. Her knowledge and background make her one of the best teachers I have every known.
Choosing just one of my teachers is tough because I have been blessed with outstanding educators, all of which impacted my life. But, my fifth-grade teacher, Ms. Merritt, at Deal Island Elementary School in Deal Island, Maryland, left a lasting impression that I have carried with me. Now at 43, I can still hear the songs we sang in her class; remember the math drills; the poems she taught our class to learn the states and capitals; the way she made each student feel as if they were the only student in her class; and the overall way she instilled a love of learning with our diverse group of students. Ms. Merritt, thank you for being an excellent role model. Now that I am an educator, I have developed even more appreciation for you and your efforts!
Actually, the teacher who had the most profound effect on my career was not my teacher. I worked with her at my church. She confirmed to me that my ideas about children were accurate. I began to realize that teaching was my calling, even though my mother had convinced me to choose another career. I started back to school, earned my masters degree and began teaching 16 years ago. It was the best decision I could have made and I’ve never looked back.
I actually work with a teacher who inspires me. Her name is Miss Miller. She is my son’s third grade teacher, and my dear friend. Her teaching style makes learning come alive. I have seen my quiet child come in in the beginning of the year, and now will be leaving with such confidence in his abilities.
Miss Miller truly loves each and every one of her students. She is like a little mother hen protecting “her chicks” while they are in her care. She has patience with each of them, even when it is hard at times.
Her energy level is always on top, and she has taught the children many life lessons.
I am the reading specialist and work right along side Miss Miller in her special reading groups. It is a joy to spend time with her and her class. She is always open to new ideas and never makes anyone feel that she knows all. She has a heart of compassion and will always be remembered as one of our family’s favorite teachers!!!
We love you , Miss Miller
I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in first grade. Mrs. Fitzpatrick was the best teacher for a new to the school shy little girl. She gave me confidence to find my place in the world. I always said that I was going to be a first grade teacher just like her, but as I went through my college training, I fell in love with Kindergarten. I was amused to find out, when I went back to my elementary school, that Mrs. Fitzpatrick now teaches Kindergarten too!
I’ve had so many wonderful and memorable teachers, not only as a student but also as a teacher. One of my most memorable teachers was my 5th Grade teacher. Her name was Mrs. McDonald and everything about her was magic. We had a room full of animals that taught us responsiblity, days filled with learning and at Christmas…hand-made gifts for each of us. I barely have time to make copies and she hand-made gifts. I truly believe the book Mrs. Pigglewiggle was based on her. Sadly, in sixth grade she left and I hadn’t heard of her since. Mrs. McDonald truly taught me the importance of not just teaching kids…as a teacher, you must inspire them.
Ms. Foulkes was an incredible human being who impacted my world view and planted the seed for my love of reading. She was a retired teacher who happened to be my next door neighbor. She would allow kids from the neighborhood to visit her and read her books. My sister and I were one of the fortunate kids who got the priviledge of visiting her and we would run to her door every afternoon and read her nursery rhymes and sing to her “La Cucaracha”. She always instilled in me the belief that I could do anything I put my mind and heart into. She was an incredible human being. I think that I owe my love of teaching to her and her wonderful nurturing and guidance.
My fifth grade teacher was probably the one who finalized by desire to be a teacher. I was in a split class with half 4th and half 5th graders. This teacher would let me grade papers for her, help her with other paperwork, file papers, etc. She was so organized to be able to teach two grades at once. It was nothing like it is now where you have ungraded primary in many schools.
My favorite teacher in school was Dr. Maxine Harper. She inspired me to look outside the box. She read stories to the class ( and this was a freshman college course ) to explain. One more thing, Dr. Harper taught from a motorized wheelchair. She taught me how to see people from the inside and not by outward appearances. She is a remarkable teacher and friend.
Diane Trenthem
I can credit one teacher for helping me understand and appreciate what it means to be an educator. Her name is Carol de la Cruz. I was her teacher’s aide as a senior in high school. She gave me responsibilities of creating tests and worksheets, differentiating assignments for a student with special needs, and correcting. We shared lunch in her room once a week. We talked about school and my plans after school. She made me feel valued and respected. I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t connected with her during that final year. Prior to getting to know Carol, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. She helped me see the value in teaching and the impact one teacher can make on a child’s life.
As I began my student teaching twenty-seven years ago I had a wonderful university professor who supervised student teachers. I attribute much of my success over these last years to Mrs. Melva Matkin, who is now the principal at Gregorio Esparza Elementary. Mrs. Matkin taught us to observe, recognize learning styles of all children; be prepared for questions they we may or may not be able to answer; offer opportunities for varied learning experiences; enjoy the child’s imagination and interests; and assume a leadership role, utilizing inservice and demonstrations, to assist others in understanding the importance of higher level thinking and individualized learning. She also taught us to be positive and recognize that learning and teaching are exciting,energizing and and there’s not just one good way of teaching to reach all children.
Mrs. Morton was my first mentor and such a blessing. She helped me every step of the way and I continue to lean on her for advice on helping my students succeed!!
I have always remember those who have contributed so much in making me to be the way I am as a teacher, but I will mention only one here without ignoring others who has done great things in me.
This person named Mr. Pravin, has taught me to think critically, to be patient in facing students and motivated me to keep on studying. I met him with zero English and lack of confidence. Today, I am teaching confidently in English because of his patient and i am planning to get my master in education degree in August.
I have no enough words to thank him and many others who helped and taught me this life lesson. I love them so much. Thanks for being so patient with me and spare thinking and energy for me.