TEACH

I watched a CBS Special last week about teachers.  It was called "Teach" hosted by Queen Latifah.  It documented four teachers around the country, their class, the challenges they faced getting their kids, all of them, to improve, the lower-level learners, along with the higher-level learners.  As an aside, we all want to believe our kids, of course, are in the "higher" category, but let's face it, not all of them are, and this world is made up of many kinds of learners, all at different levels, and that is what makes our world a wonderful place.  
Back to the program:  It made me think about the teachers I had, growing up, who I enjoyed, who I didn't, and who I appreciate now, as an adult, looking back on their classroom demeanor and how they treated us as students.  Shout out to Mr. Rick Adkins for his constant enthusiasm for Biology.  Although I didn't go into the sciences, I appreciate what I learned in that class and the energy he brought every day, day in and day out!  I now work with hearing impaired college students who are taking Bio 101 and MicroBio and I can say that I am a bit more prepared for CARTing those classes for my students than I would have otherwise been.
I would also like to thank Mr. John Meis and Mr. Jerry Bond, two very proficient teachers who left everything on the table in their classrooms.  Mr. Meis taught English, something I use very often in my work now, and Mr. Bond taught me Science in Junior High.  He made it interesting, tolerated no "slackers" and brought humor into the classroom.  
Teachers, they have my full respect and support.  Their job is challenging, and it's never easy to "bring it" day in and day out!  Raising our boys in the Catholic School system from kindergarten up through high school was the best decision we ever made.  That is not to say there is anything wrong with public schools; we wanted to bring our faith into our boys' education.  
Thank you to the teachers who make the effort to not just "do" their job, but to realize the importance of their job and embrace the challenge of teaching our next leaders with enthusiasm, with humor, and fervor for learning.  Know that you are appreciated by this "Mom"!!