Childhood Influences - Teachers

Over the past month or two I've been thinking a lot about who in my childhood impacted me the most. Obviously my parents, but there were plenty of others that shaped and molded me into the person I am today. I wanted to share with you, and reflect back on, a few of them.

Mrs. Lehr - my Kindergarten teacher
She taught me that foods have different shapes. Like when you cut an apple crossways instead of straight down you can find the shape of a star. She also taught us something every 3 year old today even knows - Oreos are circles.
Most importantly, I learned that it's the simple discoveries that can make a day interesting and fun.

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Mrs. Georgia Pope - my 2nd Grade teacher
(She is the one who actually inspired me to write this post to begin with)

I loved this woman, and I missed her dearly when we moved in the middle of the year to a new district. She is probably the person who shaped me the most in my elementary days, and I was only with her for a few short months.

Mrs. Pope shared with me a love for reading - one that I still have today. She introduced me to "Clifford the Big Red Dog." When I moved, she gave me a book that I don't think would be typical or on level for a 'normal' 2nd grader. A short, and imaginative chapter book titled, "Ozma of Oz" by Frank Baum (who also wrote the "Wizard of Oz.") I still have it and read it today. She wrote a short note in the front of it...and if I could find the book amongst all the books I've read lately I would write what she wrote...but no matter. I read the inscription every time I pick up the book and my heart is warmed and I feel inspired to keep on being who I am without regret and to keep exploring new worlds through reading.

She fostered my creative side and allowed me to explore it freely when I completed my assignments - which never took me long, it seemed. I would sit in the craft corner of the room making various things. The biggest "project" was a paper chain from our scrap bin. I ended up getting the entire class (and the neighboring class) involved and we made a chain that was the extremely long - several lengths of the combined classrooms. We hung it as a decoration after it was completed. Never once did she tell me, "It's a waste of time," or "Why are you doing that?" She simply encouraged me and the other students in whatever our endevors were.

I would give Mrs. Pope a big hug and tell her, "I love you," multiple times a day. She was indeed my favorite teacher of all time. I attended her retirement party a few years later - I think I was in middle school by this time. I recieved a letter from her after I had invited her to my high school graduation open house. She still remembered me, and seemed to cherish her time that she had had as my teacher.

Even in retirement, she still gives freely of her love and acceptance and compassion. I've heard from others, and read in the local paper back home, that she daily reads & records books and newspapers for the blind to listen to. She is a wonderful example to me and others that we are never too busy, too old, or too young to give of ourselves to others.

Lately my mind wanders back to those simpler days of 2nd Grade...and I wonder if still yet today, 10 years after my last correspondance with her, 20 years since she was my teacher, if she remembers me. My heart tells me she does and it makes me smile. I'd love to give her a call someday soon and express my appreciation for her and to see how she is doing. I still have her phone number after all these years. :o)

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Mrs. Christopher - my 5th Grade teacher

5th Grade was a very rough year to say the least. Socially unaccepted and awkward, I found solace in taking care of the classroom pets - a guinea pig named Ernest, a fat hamster named Butterscotch (or Butterball as we called her), and the fish. I loved animals and Mrs. Christopher allowed me to express that in taking responsibility for the pets.

Mrs. Christopher also had connections with Ball State and regularly arranged for the portable Astrolab to be brought in so we could study the constellations and learn about how they got their names. I loved these days. Partly because it was a time when we were all in the dark, lying down, looking at the ceiling and hearing stories. Partly because it allowed me to mentally escape from the social pressures I daily faced. Mostly because I loved hearing creative stories of mythical origins and being able to connect them with something real.

Mrs. Christopher also introduced me to one of my all-time favorite authors, J.R.R. Tolkien. Each day in class we would read a chapter or portion of, "The Hobbit." Again, it was a chance for me to mentally escape into the reaches of my imagination. With the way Tolkien wrote, so vividly and realistically, with every detail you could ever want to know, it wasn't hard for me to close my eyes and imagine that I was a character in the story - off on an adventure.

We read the story for our honors english class the next year, 6th Grade. When I was reading it for myself, I could easily hear her voice as some of the characters.

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There are assuredly other influences from these formidable years, and I hope to write another post about them. But for now I will cease my typing, and delve into another book from our over-filled shelves. I am blessed to have a husband who loves reading Almost as much as I do. ;o)

...and so I blog.

I will keep this inital entry rather short. Several of you have read some of my “notes” on Facebook and have encouraged me to begin a blog of my own…something that I could update with what is happening in my life so you could share in my journey.

Therefore, here is my blog.

I will go ahead and make my disclaimer statement: I am not perfect. I have never claimed to be as such. Should you not agree with any of the postings, feel free to state as such. However, do not berate or condemn me for my opinions or views. They are not yours…
With that, I bid you a happy following/stalking. I look foward to writing a “real blog” soon.