Teacher Appreciation Week

This is my 100th Post!!!! I really wanted to do something special with this post. When I was in 4th grade, I made a crucial decision in my life. I decided that I wanted to be a teacher. This was not because I couldn't do other things. This was something that I have always wanted to do. To be surrounded by books, to impart the knowledge that I have received from those books, and to influence someone positively was the main reason behind my becoming a teacher. Even the hard work, I love it. I complain, who doesn't, but nothing feels better than when I've finally reached that unmotivated student. There is no better feeling than seeing your former students succeed. I've always hated that quote, "Those who can-do; those who can't-teach." I swear, H. L. Menchen. That is by far is the biggest insult to those who give of themselves every day to educate our youth. I don't recall where I heard this, but this quote is more appropriate, "Those who can do, do it because of a teacher." None of us would be anywhere without a teacher, and I'm not just talking about the one's in the classroom. Someone taught you everything you know, and for that you should thank them, which is what I'm going to do.

I would like to take this moment to thank all of those men and women who have shaped me over years, my elementary teachers, my junior high teachers, my high school teachers, my college professors, and all of those teachers who have mentored me since I became a teacher. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for having had each of you touch my life.

The person I would like to thank the most is my grandmother Marguerite Johnson Jones. My "Momma Dear" was the first teacher I ever had. She brought me books from as far back as I can remember. She made sure that I was never without books. She worked as many as 3 jobs at a time to take care of her six kids, basically as a single parent, and she raised three grandchildren, a great grandchild and a great-great grandchild. She taught me about football (she loved the 49ers, especially Joe Montana and Jerry Rice), pro wrestling (she loved the Junkyard Dog), cooking (she made a mean potato salad which I inherited), and she taught me about people. She was my teacher, my mom, my nurse, my counselor, and my best friend. My grandmother's birthday was April 27. She would have been 84 years old. It has been 7 years since she passed away. I always took the opportunity to tell her how much she meant to me. Even so, I would like to thank her again for all that she gave me. Thank you, Momma Dear. I still miss you...

So, take the time to thank those teacher's who have made a difference in your life. Remember, “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”~Carl Jung