Dear Teachers, Thank you...

Yesterday I told you all about my final career decision. I feel really good about the decision and very excited (alright, I admit it. A little terrified, too.)

Yesterday's video had me thinking about the teachers in my past who have made a difference in my life. I've never really thanked them and many of them are the only reason I survived my turbulent high school years.

So today's post is a thank you to the teachers who gave their all and helped me reach my potential:


My Mom - You were brave enough to take on home schooling me. I was a child who would have driven most mothers to insanity after schools let alone if they had to be with me 24/7. I may harass and tease you about my schooling, but the truth is that I could not have reached my potential in high school had it not been for the foundation you had laid. Thank you for doing what you believed was best for me and the family. Thank you for pioneering and not giving up when you were criticized. Thank you for pushing me to be the best and succeed. And thank you for stressing how important reading was. That is one thing that I owe solely to you. It has been one of the best and most useful assets in my life.

Mr. Houchin (Sr.): You were my Freshman English Teacher and it was your last year teaching. You didn't have to care. You could have laid back and taken it easy, but you didn't. You pushed us. You lit a fire under our arses. You made us spell Sugar and Sincerely so often and repetitively that I could spell them in my sleep. You were the one who began to open a new world of English for me and a new appreciation for literature. Thank you truly and Sincerely :-)

Ms. Clark - As my sophomore English and public speaking teacher, plus my Speech team coach you quickly became more than just another teacher to me. You were a friend, confidant, and example. You are one of the reasons I am inspired to become an English teacher. You were always there to listen and help me through any situation regardless of the decision. You had a passion for reading and literature that you shared with your students. You were kind and helpful but you expected our very best and nothing less was acceptable. Thank you for going beyond the classroom and helping your students on a personal level. You were definitely one of the reason I survived my high school career and didn't fail.

Mr. Olsen - It is hard to type this without getting all teary eyed. As my music teacher, track coach, and musical play director you were an amazing teacher. You made a special effort to know your students as people. As the years went on though you became more of a father figure to me. You genuinely cared about the issues I had in my life during my high school years. You saw my pain and tried to help me work through it. I had felt so lost and alone during points in those years and you helped me see there were people who truly cared about my well being. Thank you from the deepest part of my heart and I miss you, your class and the plays.

Mr. Houchin (Junior) - You are another one who brings tears to my eyes and whom I miss. You started as my Spanish 1 and 2 teacher and then became my guidance counselor. Even before that switch in your career you cared and would ask if there was anything you could do to help us through tough times. You expected a lot from us but you helped us achieve those goals. The year you became our counselor was one of the best things to happen for students. You were willing to do whatever was needed to help us find our way, resolve our conflicts. You cared, not because it was your paycheck, but because it was in your heart. Had it not been for your countless sessions with me, your advice and your concern I honestly don't know if I would have made it through my teen years. You never judged us, you never made us feel like anything less than the most important thing in your day. I hope you know how many lives you touched with a positive impact.

What teacher had the most impact in your life and why?

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P.S.
Yesterday's video was Taylor Mali, a teacher and slam poet. I personally have found his work to be amazing and inspiring. Check out some of his other Videos:

The Impotence of Proofreading

Like, You know?

What I want to be when I grow up...

I always intended on going to college right after high school, but life happened. I moved to Va. Beach to live with Prince Charming while he finished up his last year in the Navy. Then we moved home and I started the business of being an adult. Job, apartment, car and figuring out how to apply for financial aid and get to college.

My plans were sidetracked with the news of Alex's pending arrival. I knew that I wouldn't be able to handle being a mom and a college student for a while, so college was put aside. I planned on starting school when Alex was 3 and old enough for the college's on site daycare. Then I would be able to go to school full time, see him in between classes and not feel like I was ignoring him or my responsibilities as a mom.

Shortly after he turned 3 I began applying for financial aid for the fall semester. Then I found out about Liberty's pending arrival. Once again the decision was made to wait until Alex was in school and Liberty was old enough for the college daycare.

Well, the best laid plans...have nothing on Mother Nature's plans. Shortly after Liberty's 3rd birthday, yes, I found out about Bean's pending arrival.

This time instead of waiting until Bean is 3 (or tempting Mother Nature to mess with my Birth Control) I decided to start online classes this January. I am so excited to finally begin working toward my career goals, but at the same time, that is the exact problem. I haven't been able to decide just what it is that I want to be when I grow up.

My top two choices over the past 5 years have been a teacher or a nurse. I knew that is where my biggest passions and talent potentials were. But making a choice between them was very hard. On the financial side of things, being a nurse was more beneficial. When it came to fitting into my lifestyle with 3 kids, school breaks, holidays and other things I wanted in life becoming a teacher made the most sense. And my desire for both careers was huge and I wasn't able to choose between them. Both of them gave me a chance to make a difference in someone's life. To touch a person's heart and make them, and myself, better for doing it.

I ran across this video a few days ago and by the time I had finished it I knew where my heart really was.



I have watched it over and over. And every single time it makes me get teary eyed and covered in goose bumps. THAT is what I want in my life. Even though I know that teaching can be a thankless, underpaid, exhausting and overwhelming job, I also know that it can be richly rewarding and satisfying.

To all those teachers out there who helped me through, made me go beyond where I thought I could, and helped make me who I am today.....Thank You!