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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28 Responses to “Here’s to You, Teachers!”
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More Comments Pages: « 1 [2] 3 » Show All Comments
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