I asked the question on my Church’s Facebook page, “who was an impactful teacher in your life and why?”
Not wanting to shirk the responsibility of answering my own question I began to think. And think, and think. The list is too long so I decided to write a post about a few of the teachers in my life. and the way that they have shaped my view of the world. Many will not remember the little kid with the bowl cut sitting quietly. But it did (eventually) get the point.
Thanks to…
- Mrs. Socks (kindergarden) teaching me the value of a quick nap in the middle of the day
- Mrs Routzan (5th grade) teaching me that teachers are real people. I was friends with her boys and they lived just up the street. Did you know that teachers don’t sleep at the school? I know it blew my mind too.
- Mr. Wazneski (6th grade math) teaching me that it is not only the product but the process that matters in life. I didn’t like showing my work while solving the equations. Even through they were right we talked about the importance of the process. This was not just for partial credit if the end was wrong but because following the path set out before us is a good thing (to a point)
- Mr. Thorton (8th grade Social studies) Teaching me the importance of current events. We had to go to a wall where that days newspaper was stapled and answer 5 questions from that day’s news. I think it was a great excuse for him to read the paper on school time, but it also ingrained in me an appreciation for the news ans journalism.
- Mrs. Officer (Middle school home economics) teaching me how to sew and cook a few meals. I have patched not only clothes, but kayak skirts, blown sidewalls on my mountain bike tires and countless other things. Also when the girls are not at the house I can always make an egg in a frame.
- Mrs. Bohn (HS English) for teaching me about the world of creative writing and story telling. Even when I ain’t so good at grammar.
- Mr. Wilson (sunday school teacher, physics teacher and lacrosse coach) teaching me what it is to be a man of God while being a fierce competitor.
- Mrs. Stone (High School psychology) for opening the doors to a field that continues to fascinate me. And we got to dissect a sheep’s brain.
- Sue Schneider (my youth pastor) for the long conversations and tollerance of my dumb choices.
- The Psychology department at Shepherd University for teaching me about reasearch methods and how to ask good questions. For engaging in conversation rather than just teaching from the cirriculim.
- Stephen Gallaher (my youth ministry professor in seminary) for showing what grace in ministry is lived like! What an amazing guy. Especially when you turn the clocks forward 30 min. during class.
- Pastor Susan For encouraging my call and mentoring me along the way.
- Finally… My parents (Peg and Gib) for teaching me more than I could ever know
There are many others but as I look back today I think about the blessing of the book learning and the life lessons those who have crossed my path have blessed me with.
Many thanks to all of those who teach. May this coming school year be one of wonder, exploration and new discoveries for you and your students.
