Thursday, April 29, 2010

If...

I'm gone for the next two days, scoring district-wide writing assessments. But I can't leave you with nothing, so here is something to think about for today.



"If you could, in retrospect, thank one teacher you had in school for what he/she taught you, who would it be and what would you be thankful for?"

44 comments:

S.A. Larsenッ said...

By far my 8th grade history teacher. He taught with such passion, I found myself totally sucked into the past. That's one of my future goals. To write a novel based on history. Got to get the 1st ms published, though. ";-)

Moll said...

Freshman English! Janet Macintosh. She was scary smart. I could never get an A on a paper (and I always got As). And she gave me a reading list I am still working through 10 years later.

Heather Zundel said...

Two of my English teachers (no real surprise, except maybe for just HOW much they impacted my life) and one of my history teachers for showing me there were cool stories in there and not just mindless facts and dates.

Stephanie Thornton said...

Definitely Mrs. Waggonner for turning me on to history. I actually use a lot of her projects as models for my own now.

Unknown said...

I would love to be able to thank my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Palmiotto. He was so awesome. He was one of those teachers where you wondered if you were learning any thing because he made school so fun and interesting. It wasn't until I looked back that I realized his class was where I learned the most. We learned a lot by doing. We did the school newspaper every month and everyone had a role in creating it. We also did a play, and spent time learning about drama and acting. We turned coffee cans into camp stoves and cooked hamburgers on them. (out in the schoolyard)

Sadly, he died when he was only in his fifties, I think, of a chronic condition. The last time I saw him, I was walking out of the hospital where I had just started working. I was 21 and seven months pregnant with my first child. He had a group of kids that were doing a field trip, but he stopped to tell the kids that I was one of his former students. I wish I'd have known that was the last time I'd see him. I'd have thanked him then, instead of feeling self-conscious about my big pregnant stomach.

Tere Kirkland said...

My HS art teacher. She taught me that there was much more to being an artist than just creating. That in order to create something with substance, you first have to have substance in your life.

The same holds true for writing, of course, and I am grateful every time I think of her.

Great post!

Lindsay said...

My English teacher Mrs. Jones. She encouraged me, and increased my love of literature. I'll alway be grateful to her for believing I could write.

Mary E Campbell said...

I would thank more fourth grade teacher - who taught us to work hard and she was also a fantastic storyteller.

Unknown said...

This is easy. I would thank Jacqueline from my UCLA screenwriting classes for teaching me tons of techniques when it comes to all writing. The nice thing is, I do thank her, every time I take one of her classes I let her know how much I have appreciated her input. Which has reminded me that I would also have to give a huge thank you to Linnea Sinclair (which I did give her) from the RWA courses she has taught. My first one I had a huge aha moment that helped me tremendously with my dialogue structure.

Valerie Geary said...

Just one? Okay...My 1st grade teacher: Thank you Mrs. Perkins for encouraging my early love of reading, for making me read aloud to my tiny classmates who were still struggling with their ABCs and for introducing me to Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree Series. You changed the course of my life.

L. T. Host said...

I had several influential teachers, and it's hard for me to pick just one. But at the same time, it's not so much what they taught me in class that makes me remember them, it's how they taught.

One of my high school teachers I had for several classes over the last two years, and he was the coach of my Academic Decathlon team (don't laugh), so he was important because he helped push me to be better than I was.

My high school chemistry teacher made science fun for the first time in my life, and helped me see that it wasn't all that scary. My high school biology teacher decided to make dissections optional because of me, and that made me feel like I could influence change for something I felt strongly about.

Most recently, my novel writing teacher-- more of a critique group leader-- has so much faith in me and my writing that it feels like this game might be winnable after all. I can never give away the confidence she has in me, or the pride when I make tiny steps towards my goal.

Teachers rock. You rock.

Christine Fonseca said...

I had three amazing teachers I have never forgotten - all English teachers...my 8th grade L/A teacher for introducing my to great literature, my 10th grade short stories teacher for teaching my about some amazing authors...and my 12th grade AP English teacher for teaching me how to write!

Angela Ackerman said...

Mr. Smith, my Philosophy instructor. I really connected with him and he really taught me to think 'inside' things, not just see the surface.

Bish Denham said...

Aside from my mother who homeschooled me for many years, my seventh grade teach Miss Coffey was fabulous. She made learning so exciting and fun...even kids who didn't want to participate got excited about participating.

In high school my bioglogy/science teacher Mrs. Yaudi. Luckily I have been able to tell her how much I appreached her as a teacher.

Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha) said...

I think about this often! I would thank Mr. Joel Fowler for teaching me to love nature. He taught me to birdwatch and identify plants and animals and whale watch. My son Wyatt's middle name is Joel....

Carolyn V. said...

Oh Shannon, I'm going to miss you. =(

I would like to thank two teachers, but neither one was mine. They were my kids. My daughter had a very hard year last year. The teacher she has this year has taken her under her arm and been so kind with her. I am now seeing my daughter gain more self confidence and blossoming. I cannot thank her teacher enough!

My son has special needs. He had a teacher that recognized his needs and helped him grow into the boy he is now. It was such a blessing for him (and me). He has gained self confidence from knowing from this teacher that he could do it.

I've always thought what a great thing it would be to be a child's teacher and show them who they are and what they can accomplish. Teachers are great!!!! (sorry this is so long...Thanks Shannon!)

CMOM Productions said...

This is tough! I have a few teachers I could add to this list. One of my favorite teachers pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and sing in front of my classmates for the first time. His encouragement gave me more confidence in myself than I ever experienced before.... Mr. McKeown. I fell in love with English & writing while I was in the class of Mrs. Grodus. Teachers can spark something in a child that they never knew existed... Thanks to all the teachers out there!!!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

My fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Dowd, brought my reading up to grade level and above. After that, I was never behind, and discovered the joy of reading.

Heather said...

That's easy. I know exactly who, my high school English teacher Mr. Macauley. He's the first person that told me I could write and then encouraged me to do so.

Kristi Faith said...

Great question! Mrs. Powers, 7th grade A.L.T. teacher. Alternative Learning and Thinking. She was so cool and loved all things creative. She 'published' my first book. :0)

JE said...

In the fifth grade I had a teacher who gave us this lesson he wrote on the chalkboard the first day of school:

"Life ain't fair"

Now that's something to remember!

~JD

GunDiva said...

Only one? I've got two who immediately popped into mind.

Jonna Noonan, who was the only teacher to really challenge me in high school. It's because of her that a year after I graduated HS, I was hired on as the head athletic trainer.

And Dr. Michael Charney, who taught up until the day he died. He instilled a love of forensic anthropology that has yet to die down.

Lola Sharp said...

Mrs. Sauer, my 8th grade algebra teacher, was a hard ass teacher that most kids hated. But she was the only teacher who noticed what all others didn't. I was popular and smart and social. No red flags. Somehow she knew and helped me escape a horrible home life. She was more of a mother/parent to me in that one year than I had ever known in my life. I'm eternally grateful to her.

Elana Johnson said...

Oooh, have fun scoring! I've done that before and isn't it SO FUN? (she says with a lot of sarcasm.)

I think I would have to thank my high school physics teacher, Mr. Stephenson. He made learning hard things possible. He taught me that I can learn and do things that most normal people can't learn and do. That I can do hard things.

Thanks, Mr. Stephenson!

Katie Ganshert said...

Professor Baker from my first ever education course. She had crazy-high expectations, but she helped us accomplish them.

Roxane B. Salonen said...

My second grade teacher, Miss Larsen, who told me I should write books someday. Will never forget it, and will always appreciate the power of positive words on a child because of it. I am happy to say I had the chance to have lunch with her when my children's books came out to thank her, as well as to go to her school (she's still teaching) to do an author visit. What a privilege that was!

Jennie Englund said...

Rick Brown, Junior Year, Honors English.

He was frank about my writing being disorganized, which it severely was, and I've worked my whole life to improve it.

Kelly H-Y said...

My English teacher (and softball coach), Mr. Wishkoski ... for being so encouraging of my writing.

Kayeleen Hamblin said...

Mrs. Roundy, my English teacher. She started out in the Middle school and taught me in the 8th grade, then moved up to high school. I had at least one class from her every year. I learned to love reading and writing under her careful tutelage.

Bossy Betty said...

No question! Mrs. Pilant my English and French teacher for showing me there was life outside of my small town and a place for my talents too!

Mary Aalgaard said...

Can't limit it to just one. 4th grade teacher for the poetry party which included many Shel Silverstein poems, and reading aloud to us. 5th Grade teacher for holding up and reading my story and saying it was one of the best ever. My 7th grade teacher who said it would be wonderful to bring my characters to life. My college professor who was also a writer and has had gobs of students told me I was a good writer. So many, so wonderful. Thanks for being a great teacher, Shannon!

Myrna Foster said...

Ms. Brinker, in high school, for being passionate about chemistry and physics.

And my AP English teacher, Mr. Dalley, for challenging me.

Unknown said...

How great Shannon!! You've actually reminded me to write letters for two of my favorite teachers ever!

The first is Ms. Malmberg my 11th grade english teacher, she allowed me to understand shakespeare the way others never could. She also showed me how to really love books, To kill a mockingbird and the catcher and they rye were on the list.

The second is Mr. Howett, a math teacher. I didn't like math, in fact I sucked at but I learned so much from him with tutoring and just life. He's one amazing guy!

Christi Goddard said...

I have a hundred stories of trauma from teachers. I was always strange as a kid and there wasn't a single one who was patient with me or understanding. My senior year I had an art teacher who was kind to me, partial to me, understood that I was the biggest flake out there, and let me BE ME. Him I'll never forget. Mr Hauschultz.

Christi Goddard said...

I have a hundred stories of trauma from teachers. I was always strange as a kid and there wasn't a single one who was patient with me or understanding. My senior year I had an art teacher who was kind to me, partial to me, understood that I was the biggest flake out there, and let me BE ME. Him I'll never forget. Mr Hauschultz.

Jemi Fraser said...

Mr. P would be my choice. He actually wasn't a very nice man, but he did a great job of teaching Shakespeare. Because of him I loved the plays.

We didn't get any chances to write narratives in school - only reports - except for 2 assignments in elementary school. Sad, but true.

Shelley Sly said...

I actually had this opportunity 2 years ago, and I'm glad I did. I went back and visited my high school and found one of my toughest but nicest teachers, my 11th grade history teacher. She taught me something so valuable that I've carried with me through college and in writing a novel: there's no shame in rewriting, reworking, and redoing a paper (or manuscript). We don't always get it right the first time. Just keep editing until you get it right. I thanked her for teaching me this -- it really stayed with me.

Sherrie Petersen said...

My high school English teacher Mrs. Wortham. I learned to write well, be creative, and appreciate great books.

Patti Lacy said...

Totally my English lit teacher, Ann V. Miller, who instilled in me a passion for the places I could go with good stories in my head!

Hey, if you have time, stop by my place today. I posted late but really want to share a poem by Mary Oliver called, "Lead" in light of the Gulf oil spill.

On a brighter note, Happy Weekend!

Blessings,
Patti

Jayne said...

Hello! Pleased to virtually meet you. :)

I would thank Mr Silverman, my form teacher in juinor school. He brought his dog into class, and encouraged me with a little magazine I created for me and my friends. It was so appreciated as no one else really encouraged me with writing at the time.

Kittie Howard said...

I'd thank Mrs. Cranfield, my high school English (for all four years) who taught me English is as methodical as science. There are eight parts of speech. A noun (or pronoun) can be used as an appositive, noun in direct address, subject, predicate nominative...but, oh, wait, you know this, you're an English teacher...and I loved diagraming...oh, Mrs. Cranfield was amazing.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Mr. Morrison, my fifth grade teacher. I would thank him for his creative way of teaching science, and social studies. The 20 question games we played to warm up for science, and the classroom court were the most awesome educational activities I participated in at school. Plus, having our own checkbooks, fake money, and flea markets were a great way to learn about finance and economics.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I'd thank my 10th grade biology teacher, Barbara Holleman. (I've thanked her many times.) She showed me what a mother, wife, friend and teacher was supposed to look like. She has been part of my life since 1980 when I moved to Arkansas and my family joined the church she attended. I had her in hs. She nominated me for a local college scholarship. She came to my hs open house, played the piano at my wedding, took me to the doctor when I was going through some fertility issues and was the first person to find out I was pregnant. She threw a huge baby shower for us and while we lived near her she included us in many of her family activities. She is something special!

Natasha said...

My Principle taught me that there are people who do everything right, and people who can't seem to get anything right, and the vast majority who never do anything original so fall in neither of the above categories.

She didn't want us to be "bloody followers", and I am glad to say I am not.

~ Rayna

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