I did not know that today was teacher appreciation day (this is a thing now? Really?), but I can't help but remember teachers who have shaped me throughout my life:
Mrs. Flaherty, my kindergarten teacher who used to have me read to the class so she could get a break.
Aunt Ruth, my Sunday School teacher when I was young who spent time with us outside of church to just be involved in our lives.
Mrs. Nadeau, who made me work hard in 4th grade (forever giving me ammunition for my own children, that it's not their teacher, it's just 4th grade that makes you work like mad).
The other Mrs. Nadeau, who had compassion on 7th graders from the sticks who were being bussed to the big town of Saco, Maine for the first time.
Mr. Parker, who sparked a love for science, mostly by standing at the back of the chemistry classroom and throwing chalk at the board in the front of the room to show us something about atomic energy.
Mrs. Wolfahrt, of blessed memory, who understood us well. She's the one who when we tried to make her disappear into the fifth dimension by writing her name on the board backwards came in to the room (remember Superman and Mxyzptlk?), took one look at what we'd done, said, "You spelled my name wrong, so I'm not going anywhere," and started teaching.
Dr. Shannon, who left encouraging notes in our Chemistry lab drawers and had all of us in Gen Chem to his house for dinner.
Dr. Symons, who fundamentally changed my life by asking, "What do you mean you're not applying to grad schools?"
And Brian Mullen. Not enough words to describe the way that he helped me become a better writer ("Homogenize"), thinker ("The Idea Man"), and professional. And that smile, when I'd surprised him with an idea or a joke, was what made some of those long meetings worthwhile.
That's a long line of faithful people who did the small things every day, and did them well. From them, I've learned so much about how to be. How to expect excellence, and how to encourage people toward it. I'm thankful for these teachers in my life.
Mrs. Flaherty, my kindergarten teacher who used to have me read to the class so she could get a break.
Aunt Ruth, my Sunday School teacher when I was young who spent time with us outside of church to just be involved in our lives.
Mrs. Nadeau, who made me work hard in 4th grade (forever giving me ammunition for my own children, that it's not their teacher, it's just 4th grade that makes you work like mad).
The other Mrs. Nadeau, who had compassion on 7th graders from the sticks who were being bussed to the big town of Saco, Maine for the first time.
Mr. Parker, who sparked a love for science, mostly by standing at the back of the chemistry classroom and throwing chalk at the board in the front of the room to show us something about atomic energy.
Mrs. Wolfahrt, of blessed memory, who understood us well. She's the one who when we tried to make her disappear into the fifth dimension by writing her name on the board backwards came in to the room (remember Superman and Mxyzptlk?), took one look at what we'd done, said, "You spelled my name wrong, so I'm not going anywhere," and started teaching.
Dr. Shannon, who left encouraging notes in our Chemistry lab drawers and had all of us in Gen Chem to his house for dinner.
Dr. Symons, who fundamentally changed my life by asking, "What do you mean you're not applying to grad schools?"
And Brian Mullen. Not enough words to describe the way that he helped me become a better writer ("Homogenize"), thinker ("The Idea Man"), and professional. And that smile, when I'd surprised him with an idea or a joke, was what made some of those long meetings worthwhile.
That's a long line of faithful people who did the small things every day, and did them well. From them, I've learned so much about how to be. How to expect excellence, and how to encourage people toward it. I'm thankful for these teachers in my life.
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