Comments on: They Did For Me. Who Did For You?

By: Cait

Cait — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 22:07:58 +0000

Hi,
New reader here. I just recently discovered your blog through Flawed But Authentic. I’ve been reading through the archives, taking inspiration from your journey. As someone who is harboring secret (It’s such a big career leap,l I’m waiting to say anything out loud until I’m certain. I did just get hired as a substitute teacher, though.) dreams of becoming a teacher, I’ve loved your writing.

My most influential teacher was Mr. Kirkwood, my junior high drama and history teacher. He spoke to his students with respect and made classes entertaining. He listened to me when no one else would. At a time when I was uncovering family secrets and being told at home that there was nothing about me to love, he became a friend, role modle, and father figure.

Sometimes life is so hard for children that education takes a back seat. Most teachers looked at me and saw only a lazy failure. He looked at me and saw and intelligent, caring person who needed some help. And he gave me that help.

By: Tricia

Tricia — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:04:27 +0000

Miss Carroll. Eighth grade. She cared, she challenged me to be better, see others. http://www.fourplusfourequalsten.blogspot.com/2007/07/remembering.html

By: Caffeinated Librarian

Caffeinated Librarian — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 02:04:45 +0000

He wasn’t really my teacher in the sense that most of your are remembering (i.e. from grade school), but one of former my co-workers, “D,” comes to mind. When I came to that job I’d just gone through a pretty rough patch (via my previous workplace) and was feeling pretty discouraged professionally. But he was so welcoming, he would often sit with me and just talk about how things worked in our institution, telling me stories about people who used to live in the community, about places that no longer existed, but were important to know. For this man who was so well-respected to spend that much time with someone new to the profession, for him to treat me like an equal and yet at the same time mentor me…it really meant a lot to me. Plus he was just a fabulous storyteller.

I wrote about him once upon a time in fact.

Great post, Lady!

By: Rigel

Rigel — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 00:00:57 +0000

MM,
Great post. Very thought provoking. Teachers can really leave indelible marks on our lives. Mr. Borden my volleyball coach, Mrs. Zoesch my Choir teacher, Mr. James, my English teacher, and Miss Kiehl my Math teacher. Favorites of all time…for different reasons.
It sounds like you had some awesome teachers. It’s neat to see the two in your post were married to one another. Have you tried looking them up?

By: V's Herbie

V's Herbie — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:19:27 +0000

My sophomore History teacher Mr. Frye. He’s a former lawyer with a very low tolerance for bullshit. He was the first to take me aside and tell me that I could do better than the half ass attempts I regularly handed in. He said it with such conviction that it didn’t even occur to me to doubt it. For him, I could do better.

BTW Hi! I’m a new reader, via random BlogHer link.