At Centennial Elementary, I had the unique experience of having one teacher for 1st-3rd grade, and then another for 4th-5th. I didn't have any other experience, but if I could choose this for my kids I would. They are so familiar with your development that way, and you learn to trust them so wholeheartedly.
First through third, I had Mrs. Hoglund. I was so little and my memory fails me in so many ways, but I can tell you she absolutely created an environment where I was able to learn and learn quickly. There aren't a lot of specific things that I remember, but I was 6, 7 and 8 years old, so what do you expect?
From Mrs. Richen, my home room in 4th and 5th, I learned math and science. Mrs. Viorde did social studies, and Mrs. Henry did reading, as far as I can remember. Most of my memories take place in Mrs. Richen's home room.
I remember one day Mrs. Richen told us a story that still hurts my heart. She told us about a time when she dressed up as the Easter Bunny for some event, and she told us about how she had overheard a kid make fun of her size. When she told me the story I was humiliated for her, I was so angry. It was a moment when this lesson was seared into me never to make fun of someone for how they look, or what they are wearing. Ever. She taught me my times and division tables like nobody's business, and how to do long division on an overhead projector with some baseball team metapher I have now forgotten. She taught me to run for office (I was elected president by my class), but she also taught me to be kind to everyone around me.
This brings me to another story and another teacher: 7th grade, Mrs. Horst. I don't even remember what subject she taught me. She had bad circulation so her hands were always bluish purple, and she had boy-short pixie hair before it was cool. One day she had a handful of us go stand at the front of the class. She started telling us things to do: act like you are putting on chapstick, check out the length of your fingernails, mundane things like that, and with each command she sent some of us back to our seats. I was in this group, and though we did not know the reason for our game, I wanted to stay up front. I didn't know the criteria, but man I hoped I was doing it right.
When we all made it back to our seats at the end of the activity, she explained that too often we judge people on whether or not we think they are fitting correctly into what their gender (or any stereotypical role) is expected to do. We had been sent to our seats for "doing it wrong" and it at once became clear how ridiculous that was. She said there is not a wrong way to put on chopstick for anyone.
This lesson was very important to me and I have thought of it often in years since. Don't put people into the boxes in which we expect them to reside.
Lessons instilled in me by my parents were reinforced by these teachers. I had many high school teachers that were huge influences in my life as well, specifically Sr. Colley, Ms. Bragg, Bro. Diamond, and Ms. Gibson, but many others.
What I'm trying to say is these people that taught me lessons crucial for my ability to communicate and excel in a work and scholarly environment, also taught me important lessons in compassion, understanding, patience, tolerance, involvement, and love. They were a tag team for my parents, I was getting good life advice from all sides. I think I was very lucky, and hope that I can be a credit to those that taught me.
It's a comfort to know that two of my sisters went into education, so I know the academic field is still attracting some talented and compassionate people. I am so thankful for my teachers that taught me not only to love to learn, but to love and care for the people around me.
First through third, I had Mrs. Hoglund. I was so little and my memory fails me in so many ways, but I can tell you she absolutely created an environment where I was able to learn and learn quickly. There aren't a lot of specific things that I remember, but I was 6, 7 and 8 years old, so what do you expect?
From Mrs. Richen, my home room in 4th and 5th, I learned math and science. Mrs. Viorde did social studies, and Mrs. Henry did reading, as far as I can remember. Most of my memories take place in Mrs. Richen's home room.
I remember one day Mrs. Richen told us a story that still hurts my heart. She told us about a time when she dressed up as the Easter Bunny for some event, and she told us about how she had overheard a kid make fun of her size. When she told me the story I was humiliated for her, I was so angry. It was a moment when this lesson was seared into me never to make fun of someone for how they look, or what they are wearing. Ever. She taught me my times and division tables like nobody's business, and how to do long division on an overhead projector with some baseball team metapher I have now forgotten. She taught me to run for office (I was elected president by my class), but she also taught me to be kind to everyone around me.
This brings me to another story and another teacher: 7th grade, Mrs. Horst. I don't even remember what subject she taught me. She had bad circulation so her hands were always bluish purple, and she had boy-short pixie hair before it was cool. One day she had a handful of us go stand at the front of the class. She started telling us things to do: act like you are putting on chapstick, check out the length of your fingernails, mundane things like that, and with each command she sent some of us back to our seats. I was in this group, and though we did not know the reason for our game, I wanted to stay up front. I didn't know the criteria, but man I hoped I was doing it right.
When we all made it back to our seats at the end of the activity, she explained that too often we judge people on whether or not we think they are fitting correctly into what their gender (or any stereotypical role) is expected to do. We had been sent to our seats for "doing it wrong" and it at once became clear how ridiculous that was. She said there is not a wrong way to put on chopstick for anyone.
This lesson was very important to me and I have thought of it often in years since. Don't put people into the boxes in which we expect them to reside.
Lessons instilled in me by my parents were reinforced by these teachers. I had many high school teachers that were huge influences in my life as well, specifically Sr. Colley, Ms. Bragg, Bro. Diamond, and Ms. Gibson, but many others.
What I'm trying to say is these people that taught me lessons crucial for my ability to communicate and excel in a work and scholarly environment, also taught me important lessons in compassion, understanding, patience, tolerance, involvement, and love. They were a tag team for my parents, I was getting good life advice from all sides. I think I was very lucky, and hope that I can be a credit to those that taught me.
It's a comfort to know that two of my sisters went into education, so I know the academic field is still attracting some talented and compassionate people. I am so thankful for my teachers that taught me not only to love to learn, but to love and care for the people around me.
Oh, my goodness,girl! You made me cry! What a marvelous tribute!
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