It is Thankful Thursday and this weeks meme is, Teachers. Those teachers who inspired your love for writing or just inspired you in general.
The teachers that I'm most thankful for are: Mrs. Green and Mr. Demecurio.
Mrs. Green was a teacher that made learning fun. She was not an English/Writing teaching though, she taught Social Studies. Her method of teaching gave me an insatiable desire to want to learn and that desire has not dissipated in my adult years. Aside from her creative teaching methods, she listened to me and was almost like a second mom. I'll always appreciate her educational guidance, but it was her friendship that meant so much to me.
Mr. Demecurio was my drama teacher. He cultivated a love of books and writing in me. Well, I already loved to read but he introduced me to new literary works I had not discovered. He, when we weren't working on a masterpiece for the school theatre, worked on his own novel. After I'd made a suggestion once, he started enlisting my help on a regular basis. He told me that I had good creative instinct and that I should write a book one day. He said that he'd dedicate his book to me for all my help. Not sure if that book ever got published but he inspired me and I never forgot his words.
Do you remember that teacher that inspired you? Tell us about them. Leave a comment here and a link to your site with your favorite teacher that you're thankful for. Grab the badge and post on your blog.
Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!!!
Awesome teachers are so amazing & so under appreciated! Thanks for sharing your memories.
ReplyDeleteI was really happy to be able to dedicate Princess of Las Pulgas to two teachers who inspired me. That was a very gratifying experience--a payback in a small way.
ReplyDeleteMy High School Latin teacher (freshman through junior year) and AP English Lit teacher were all one man.
ReplyDeleteHe was sarcastic and, well, some might even think a little mean. He wasn't really. He just expected out of us what he believed we could deliver.
But he was one of the few teachers that knew when I was phoning it in. Even if phoning it in got the job done, he pushed me to be more than that.
Some days I resented it. But later in life, I was happy that there was somebody telling me that I had greater potential.
In my Senior yearbook, he told me that when I actualize all my abilities, the world would be my oyster. :)
Jessie, you're right teachers are so underappreciated.
ReplyDeleteC. Lee, good you had the opportunity to show your appreciation.
Wosushi, I bet he was awesome. It's great how they can see things in us that we can't see in ourselves. I love that quality in my teachers also. Awesome!!!
I have three that really inspired me. First was my high school english teacher, Mr. McKay. It was my sophomore year and he was enthusiastic about books that I wanted to become a teacher. Right then and there I knew I wanted to read and teach about books for a living. Second was my professor in my second year of college. Mr. Ben called me out on not speaking enough in his class. He said my work showed I knew what I was talking about and he was disappointed I didn't say anything in class. After that, he couldn't get me to shut up. I owe him a lot. Third was a professor I had numerous times in college. He was also my advisor. Dr. Condit seemed to know everything. I really envied his knowledge and his book collection. I learned so much from him.
ReplyDeleteMy 11th grade English teacher Mr. Farley is not only one of my favorite teachers but one of my favorite human beings. He was a wonderfully supportive man who really enjoyed helping his students. This is another great post!
ReplyDeleteKelly, I was awful shy in school and Mr. Demecurio and Mrs. Green helped me to open up too.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, that's how I feel about my fav teachers. They were great at their jobs but they were amazing human beings also!!! Thanks!!!
I had the best creative writing teacher *ever* when I was a freshman in college. He read my poetry, gave me frank and honest (constructive) criticisms, and pushed me really hard to improve my work. If I lapsed on my writing, he was on my case. It's because of him that I'm still writing today. If I hadn't gotten his support and constant pushing, I'd have given it up long ago. And I'd be missing out on SO much great stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteTabitha, isn't it great to have had such an inspiring teacher. I only wish for my children that same experience. Thanks for commenting.
ReplyDeleteI think that so much depends how you are perceived by teachers...one year, one of my math teacher thought I was rubbish and all changed the next year...
ReplyDeleteHa Muriel, all my math teachers probably thought I was rubbish...it was my weakest class. I still hate it. But I did manage to pass - then pass again in college. Whew - my the skin of my teeth!
ReplyDeleteDawn, my favorite teacher was my MOM! No really. She was my seventh grade homeroom teacher and taught several of my eighth grade classes. Under her guidance, we learned every star in the northern sky and every country and capital. We dissected frogs, learned algebraic equations, and pounded a typing keyboard. No one had higher standards than her and to this day, her praise changes my world. Also, she made chocolate pie.... yum!
ReplyDeleteI had to reply to this one! I met my favourite school teacher when I was eleven years old in England. He is especially dear to me because not only was he a great teacher but shared his faith with me in such a tangible way, that through his teaching I became a Christian, and that faith has carried me for a lifetime. We now both live in the same town in Ontario, and his wife and I have been friends for years also. I spoke at his 70th birthday party. This great man has been so much more than a teacher to me, he is father, brother, friend, mentor and instructor, and I will forever be thankful for his positive influence on my life.
ReplyDeleteHi, Elizabeth. So glad you could visit! Your teacher sounded awesome. To have encouraged your faith is phenominal. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteEveryone, as many know, Blogger went down for hours the other day and deleted all the other comments. Just thought I'd put that out there lest someone think I deleted their wonderful words. I'm surprized this post is even here still. Thank God for small miracles, right.
Hi Dawn! It's so much fun to remember the teachers who inspired us... Mine was Erik Cobb, a high school English teacher with a Rage Against the Machine poster in his classroom. We read tons of anti-totalitarianism books, and he was totally a maverick in the teaching world.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I wanted to let you know that I am giving out awards on my blog today, and I gave you one... I'd love it if you stopped by to grab it! (You right-click the picture and save it as an image.) Have a great night! :)
Both erica and I are teachers, so I've definitely been inspired throughout my years in education! My second grade teacher was my favorite for a long time. (I teach 2nd grade now!) My French and Humanities teachers in High School influenced me also. Great post! Christy
ReplyDeleteHi LisaAnn, thanks for the comments and the award. I'll be by to pick it up today!!!
ReplyDeleteChristy, thanks for commenting and teaching. It's one of the most thankless jobs in America and I can't fathom why. You rock!!!