A Lifetime of Influence

Dr. Wendy Ghiora – Posting #58 July 24, 2010

This morning, when I went out to jog, I randomly grabbed a T-shirt from the drawer. I didn’t notice which one it was until I saw it in the mirror. I remembered receiving it while teaching high school. In fact, many other teachers have also been given this very same T-shirt. Who knows, you might have one too. The printing is lined up like an addition problem, and reads:

2 teach is
2 touch lives
______
4 ever
On each side of the equation is a picture of an apple.

I began pondering this statement, and decided that for me, it was definitely true. My combination 2nd and 3rd grade teacher indeed “touched” my life forever. In fact, she is the one that made me want to become a teacher myself. But, is this statement true for you?

To help you as you consider this question, I did a bit of research to learn about how teachers impact our lives. Of all the articles read, I would like to present some highlights from this one, primarily because it is in the words of the students themselves.

The Learning Network posted the following question:
“Who Is the Best Teacher You Ever Had? Why?”
Here are a few of the answers received:

1. My best teachers (both in the United States and the Philippines) have given me not just book knowledge but the strength and passion to pursue my career in chemistry. The best teachers are the ones who instill discipline, patience, critical thinking, and inspiration. No amount of money in the world can do that.
— Maybelle
2. My favorite teacher was when I was in 9th grade–45 years ago. She taught both English and World History and she was tough and demanding. But at the same time she had the ability to instill a genuine interest in the topics she taught. Believe me, even the “class jokers” never gave her any problems. I should know, because I was one of them. She made me WORK and I have had a lifelong love of history and Shakespeare because of her.
— Donald
3. My best teacher was Mr. Smith. He was not my favorite teacher. However, he insisted that we become independent learners. The capacity for lifelong learning outweighs any facts, details, theories I’ve been exposed to since.
— Andrew
4. My favorite teacher was my 4th grade teacher. She was the person who actually made me care about school and my future. Without her, I don’t know where I would be right now.
— Abram
5. There is no need to complicate the issue with learning standards and rubrics. It simply comes down to competence and caring. Does your teacher know the subject matter and do they have a sincere desire to share that knowledge with others? My favorite teacher had both in the field of musical theater, and though I didn’t know it at the time, it was what helped me decide to go into education. They are the ones who care enough to spend the time, and find a way to engage each and every student in the fun/challenge of a memorable experience. That is what you remember, and that’s what counts.
— Greg
So, what do you think? Can a teacher have an impact so great, it touches one’s life forever?

Conclusion
My best teacher taught me to be courteous, curious and committed. Like great teachers have done for centuries, she used class assignments to teach about life. She used realistic simulations in our classroom. She encouraged us and gave each student a daily dose of confidence and love. The work of a teacher sometimes seems thankless and exhausting. Yet even now as the school year has come to an end, the presence of my greatest teachers linger. Although I left their classrooms long ago, their teachings never left me.

The advent of new technology has brought many new opportunities. I know this because I have recently been contacted by several former students. How wonderful it is to discover where life has lead each one of them. If there is a teacher you always wanted to thank, it is likely they can be located on Face Book or similar site on the Internet. Give it a try. What have you got to lose? And what a great gift your contact can bring to that “special” teacher