In school, I wasn't quite like Hermione Granger, but intoxicated enough by the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and cloud of dust from childhood chalkboards to enjoy school and learning.
Okay. I admit, I was a teacher's pet.
However, all it would take is one conversation with my favorite teachers and, you too, would find every possible way to please them academically. Their love of passing on knowledge was something I still treasure. It made school and the entire process of education FUN.
I'll also admit that I had some rotten teachers that cared more about how many seats were filled instead of how many brains were receiving the information taught. Their classrooms cluttered and their attitude often unchecked, it was frustrating to be their student...to say the least.
However, the rotten ones (thankfully), were few and far between in my years going to school. The best ones stood out and forever imprinted an indelible mark that led me to the kind of work I still do today: working with kids.
My first memories of one of my favorite teachers was one Mrs. Jan Schmidt. She created a cozy environment in her classroom. From comfy couches to large bookshelves filled with tons of classic literature (ya know, Babysitter's Club classics - every 4th grade girl's dream), her passion to invite everyone to the love of reading was apparent and after all these years very much appreciated. Complete with my favorite beanbag tucked away in a corner (yes, I was that kid), it motivated me to do my work quickly and correctly so I had the luxury of curling up with Kristy and the girls.
Another favorite educator was my 6th grade Social Studies teacher. With a guitar strapped around him and his room outfitted with vintage Star Wars figures, it was the first time that I learned nerdy was cool. He would stand on his desk and belt out country songs - so unashamed or unafraid of what others thought - something my 6th grade self probably missed out at the time. I look back now and truly wish I was the self-confident nerdy chic person I view myself today. However, years of self-learning and discovering who I am as a woman in general and in Christ will have to suffice.
What about my Spanish teachers who taught me nothing about Spanish (okay maybe poquito), but consistently pushed me to stretch my ability to learn and understand what seemed impossible? Their tenacity or rather incessant speaking Spanish, and only Spanish, gave me a love of learning languages.
In high school, my love for all things in the realm of the dramatic flourished and I found myself in Drama and screenwriting classes. In particular, my Drama teacher, Ms. Pacino, certainly had a profound impact on gifting me with an even greater love for the cinema (as if growing up with a sci-fi geek for a dad didn't do the job enough - thanks Dad!). Her ability to make the most subtle mannerism reverberate with emotion and feeling taught me so much about my own growth emotionally. If you're finding her last name rather surreptitiously coincidental, think again. She really is the half-sister of Al Pacino. Talk about awesome insider stories.
I may have been a teacher's pet, but only because those teachers changed my perspective about so many different things - and in such a positive way! It also took my own motivations to want to learn and grow.
So, were there any educators that changed your outlook on learning or simply made you happy to go to school? Let me know...those kinds of stories are the best!
Adios,
Tiff
Comments