Teacher Appreciation Week

You can go on the internet and find a special day or special week for almost anything these days, from National Hamburger Day to National Coloring Book Day, but for all of us, one of the most important should be Teacher Appriciation Week.

Let’s face it, without a teacher you wouldn’t be able to read this. Without a teacher, I wouldn’t be able to write this.

I have had four special educators in my life that I appreciate on just about a daily basis, not just for what they taught me in the classroom, but for the life lessons gained outside the classroom.

William Malloy was my band instructor. I not only learned music and a love for jazz and Dixieland, but learned to work as a team. Summers marching the streets of Thermopolis are the best memories I have from my childhood. I learned discipline and strength. I learned to appreciate the joy brought to others through my performances. All these years later I still have a hard time not walking in step when I hear a marching band. “I love a parade. I have to. I’m in the band.”

Karl Allen taught me civics. I understand the basis of different religions because of Mr. Allen’s teachings. I have an open mind and am not afraid to speak that mind because he showed me I could be a strong, independent female. The lessons he passed on, from the Kennedy assassination to Hitler, have molded my views of the world. “If we do not learn from the past we are bound to repeat it.”

Dr. Jeb Schenck was my science teacher. While science wasn’t my greatest subject, he did teach me an appreciation for things like volcanos and why rock formations look a certain way. My children thought I was brilliant because I knew what kinds of rocks they were bringing me...all because of Dr. Schenck. Now, his teaching continues with me as he and I discuss photography. “Once a teacher, always a teacher.”

Christy Wigren was my speech coach way back when. She was also my English teacher. Because of her, I wanted to be a teacher and a speech coach. Her work with me as a coach and through drama taught me that I could be myself, that I could do silly voices and people would laugh. I could write. While teaching went by the wayside, I have used that writing skill to my advantage for 40 years. And I guess I’ve turned out to be a pretty good speech coach, too. “You are only limited by your own mind.”

Appreciate those who have brought you to where you are.

Thank you educators, for all you do for all of us.