World Teachers' Day!
"Educators, always remember that someone out there is a better thinker because of you. Students are standing a little taller because you helped them find their confidence. They are kinder because you showed them what that meant. Your strength and resilience, your creativity and compassion, are changing lives and changing the world. Thank you for being the heroes and champions we all need." - Jill Biden
(It's also worth mentioning, Miss Gaither was one of my first African American teachers, in a neighborhood that was predominately white.)
There are a few teachers who had a lasting impact on my life. They helped me find my confidence.
I had written the following blog post many years ago. It's worth sharing today.
I was having one of those nights where I couldn’t sleep. After tossing and turning for what seemed like forever, I got up, made myself a cup of chamomile tea with fresh ginger, turned on the computer and began to peruse the news sites (sadly, I’ve become a bit of a news junkie these days: New York Times, Huffington Post, etc. – this is what comes from age, responsibility and caring about the world).
My next stop was Facebook, to catch-up on what my friends are talking about, clicking the "like" button on occasion, and of course adding my two cents, which typically leads to debate (something I enjoy immensely).
On occasion I’ll do a few searches of long lost friends, relatives, and fan pages of people I admire. I added former teachers to my list of searches, especially those who I adored and who made an impression on my life.
There was one teacher whom I have never forgotten, someone who truly stands out from all the rest, and that is Miss Gaither from third grade. To my friends from the old neighborhood… Do you remember her?! I’m sure you do. She was everything an elementary school teacher should be: engaging, kind, fun, warm and interested in her students… ALWAYS! She really cared, providing us with the best tools possible to succeed. Much of that was helping us find our self-worth.
In less than three clicks I found her on Facebook. How cool is that?! There she was, looking as beautiful as she did back in the day. It’s funny, because when we are young (I was 9 at the time) we think of our teachers as antiquated, old as dirt. We never stop to realize many were just in their twenties, beginning their careers.
My little trip down memory lane had me pulling out my report cards from third grade. Yes, I know. It sounds a bit queer that I still have them, but I do, and they are in mint condition, too. As I stared at the past, a flood of 34-year-old memories filled my mind and flooded my heart.
School was challenging for me, not from a learning perspective, but because kids could be cruel. Yes, I had my moments, and I’m sure you did too, but our ability to make it through later in life has to come from inspiration, lessons taught and learned from people who cared for us at a young age, who always set good examples, nurturing our spirit so that we’d absorb strong morals and values, trusting in the unknown and succeeding no matter what.
Other than certain family members, Miss Gaither would be the first person outside my home who would make a positive impact on my life, helping to guide me on my path. I loved third grade! I was one little happy camper about school.
When I look back (and you would be surprised what I can remember), Miss Gaither’s teaching style was so easy. She made learning fun and exciting. She was always positive and full of energy. If a child was having difficulties, she would spend time helping them, getting them to where they needed to be (keep in mind these were not small classes, but classes of 25 to 30 students). She was always interested in the class growing together, and wouldn’t leave any stranglers behind.
What I liked most is when a student had a difficult time, she would buffer their frustration with a pat on the back or a little hug, and a comment of, "You’ll get it! I know you will because I believe in you." I wonder how many students today hear those words of magic? I won’t talk about a hug, because so many have manipulated its purpose, but how much good it does in moving a student along.
I also remember a trip with Miss Gaither to Woolworth’s on Eastern Avenue to get fish for the fish tank in our classroom. I also got to name them, Peanut Butter & Jelly (I know! I know! How original.)
Miss Gaither didn’t pick favorites, but we were simpatico. I was always one to stay after and help clean the chalkboard, redo the bulletin board, create word search puzzles, etc.
Third grade seem to fly by so quickly. I just hated seeing June come. I remember being a little choked up (and a few other students, too) when we had to say goodbye to one of the best teachers ever.
After a long hot summer, it was time to go back to school. I don’t recall Miss Gaither returning that next year (or maybe it was the year after). In any case, many students were always excited to visit teachers from previous years. It was like visiting a relative, always warm smiles and lots of laughter (let’s hope). We were blue, to no longer see her beautiful smiling face in the hall or feel the presences of her spirit, but the lessons she taught continued to stay with me and remain to this day.
I think most people might pick as a favorite teacher someone from high school or maybe even college, but for me I’m choosing my third grade teacher as my favorite because she was the first person to reinforce in my being... Yes, you can! Keep going! Don’t give up! Keep trying! You’ll get it! We are all winners!
Miss Gaither, thank you for passing along to all of your students’ confidence, happiness, faith, inspiration, hope, love, fearlessness, encouragement and the means to grow. You hold a special place in my heart because you truly helped one little boy find his confidence, and that would be the main ingredient for helping me survive school and thrive later in life.
I always wondered why students were curious to go back and visit a teacher from grade school, or look for them by some other means, like Facebook. It almost sounds odd, but now I know it really isn’t, because just like we seek praise from parents, we want our teachers to be proud of us too. We want them to know we didn’t let them down, and that their teaching was not in vain.
Teachers play a pivotal role in our life, molding and shaping us to be good citizens. If you are lucky enough to have at least one amazing teacher in life, and get the chance to thank them, do so. Most teachers are worth their weight in gold. The only question remaining is why aren’t we paying them enough? – paerki
