Teacher's Appreciation!!!!

          I am a teacher and have been teaching 18 years now. It is a very rewarding profession but also demanding. I am a teacher because of other teachers. As children, teachers are who we spend a great deal of time with. I can remember when I was 8 years old. My father passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. This was definitely a very traumatic and confusing time for me. After my father's passing, we didn't go right back to school. So I missed many days of school because, the passing of my father was very tragic. I was in 3rd grade and I had a teacher named Mrs. Allen. She was such a patient, kind and caring teacher. She made me feel special and smart at a time when I felt stuck and unmotivated. I fell behind in my school work and I became very complacent because, my father had been the one who encouraged me to do well in school.  There were countless teachers throughout my education journey in elementary school, middle school, high school and college who have invested greatness in my life. 

     I am thankful for the teachers that showed me tough love, consistent discipline, and resilience as well. My second grade teacher Mrs. Dupre enforced table manners at lunch, perfected my cursive hand writing, and held me accountable when I didn't want to eat healthy. She would not let me save my lunch plate unless I ate my veggies. My P.E. teacher Mrs. Fisher taught me confidence when she allowed me to run her concession stand in elementary school. My middle school algebra teacher showed  patience when we struggled with equations. She was so persistent that eventually, she allowed me to grade test papers. That really showed me responsibility and boosted my confidence. At the end of the year, I had the 3rd highest average in her class. That was the largest trophy I had ever received.

   I am most grateful for all of my writing teachers who made me see my gift of writing. My 4th grade teacher Mrs. Hamilton entered me in local writing contests and constantly had to redirect me when I daydreamed out the window in deep thought. My high school writing teachers Mrs. White and Dr. Johnson pushed me to be a more detailed writer. My college professor Dr. Pinkett would edit and return my writing over and over only to get me to see that I had a talent. 

  To the countless teachers all over my community who didn't have a college degree but served in the church or any capacity; thankyou.