Okay all! SO sorry that it's been so long since I've posted. When I started this blog, I didn't want to it be forced. I wanted to just report if something popped into my head. Last night however, Danny told me that I needed to post today. So, here goes.
First a quick update...since I last posted, I had an unprecedented amount of snow days from work...4 in 2 weeks. One week I went to work on Monday and didn't return until Sunday. It was crazy! Though I enjoyed the days off, I was pretty much stuck in the house because of the road conditions so I welcomed the warmer temperatures. Since those two frigid weeks, we have been enjoying temperatures in the 60's, 70's & 80's. So, we went from parkas to flip flops in a matter of a week. Gotta love Texas!
So, back to the title of today's post. In the local news, we keep hearing about all of the school districts that are in financial turmoil and how the plan to "better" the situation. I put better in quotes, because the plan is to simply "better" the financial situation. It doesn't mean that the situations at the affected schools will actually be better. Some talk of pay cuts, others of program cuts and even others of slashing jobs altogether. So, I wanted to use today's blog to highlight those people that were or are still in the business of education that helped me to become who I am today. I'll start from the earliest and try not to leave anyone out. I'm also going to try not to ramble as the list of characters is long.
Gloria Burke-1st Grade Teacher at Wallace Elementary: Even at 6 years old, I knew this teacher was someone special. After that year, I regularly visited Mrs. Burke through graduating from high school...even invited her to my wedding. Her sons were around the age of my older sister so I would sit with her and her sweet husband at LH football games. Such a special lady!
Jan Baker-Music teacher at Wallace Elementary: This is one of the few teachers that probably had one of the most significant impacts on my life and I haven't kept in touch with her. During my 5th grade year, the choir at Wallace was singing a song titled, "This Song if For The Children." I thought it was such a pretty song (I am still a sucker for songs that tug at the heart strings)! Because I wanted to be a part of singing that song, I joined choir. I sang my first ever solo in the talent show that year. Ms. Baker encouraged me to try out for All-District Choir. I did...I made it...and the rest is history. Who knows, if not for that song and her early musical leadership, I may not be who I am today.
Sally Sims-5th Grade homeroom at Wallace Elementary: The unassuming cool teacher. There are some people that go into teaching for the summers off, some that go into it because there are so many teaching jobs available and others that are just meant to be there. Sally Sims definitely fits into the latter category.
Kathy Garrett-6th Grade Science: Now, those who know me, know that science is not my subject. But, back in elementary school it was more about seeing nature and animals and checking out Bill Nye the Science Guy (at least that's what I thought of it). Her impact on my life though didn't really have much to do with science. You see, there are just some people you connect with more than others and she was one of those people. She was another that I visited on a regular basis. Not only that, but we went to the same church. Her husband played softball with my dad. We were in the same "circle" so to speak. I suppose the people I connected with most easily were those that always made time for you. They never made you feel like you were in their way.
Coaches Barley, Carillo, Johnson & Mathis all at Lake Highlands JH. I was never a big fan of PE. I never got my name on the wall in elementary school for the Presedential Physical Fitness test and still remember that to this day. However, that didn't mean that I couldn't be part of a team. These coaches through volleyball, basketball & track taught me such valuable lessons about always giving your best, all parts of the team are important and practice really CAN make a difference.
Martha Travis-9th Grade Spanish at Lake Highlands JH: It seems so crazy to simply connect her with 9th grade Spanish since that is just a small part of the lasting impression that this amazing woman has left. Though I much enjoyed Spanish all the years that I took it, Martha Travis is much more than a Spanish teacher. She came into my life during those awkward early teenage years. No one (not even the most popular person) is comfortable in their own skin. I often felt pulled in so many different ways. I was and still am able to talk to her about anything and everything. It is hard to sum her all up without going on and on, but I was so happy to be there for her retirement party and was blessed to have her at my wedding. She is a very special lady and still one of my dearest friends.
Michael O'Hern-Choir from 7th-12th grade at Lake Highland JH & HS: I don't even know where to start. In 6th grade sitting on the cafeteria floor at Wallace Elementary, Limited Edition came and performed for their annual holiday tour. MOH was a hero already. We all knew who he was and knew we were in the presence of greatness. When I finally got to the Junior High, I knew I wanted to be a part of anything in which I could learn from him...the master of his craft. Through all of the choirs, solo & ensemble competitions, sight reading tests, pop groups, tours and trips I just continued to learn and grow. Anyone that has been in choir in Texas has been impacted in some way by Michael O'Hern. He is a hero in the Lake Highlands community. He is invited to sing in weddings as well as funerals for students or family members of students past and present. I was honored to have him sing at my wedding and always look forward to getting to visit with such a special friend.
Dr. Paul Fabrizio-Political Science Professor at McMurry University: I initially went to McMurry with a major in Religion with emphasis in Christian Education. Shortly after I started there, the did away with that particular emphasis. Not only that, I didn't really feel like they religion department was a good fit for me. However, my freshman year, I took an Into to Political Science course. My interest in politics came at an early age because my dad was in fact in politics. This particular course was required, but there were two different professors that taught it. If I had had the other professor, chances are, my years at McMurry would have turned out very different. Dr. Fabrizio teachers all of his classes in a way that makes students eager to learn and do their absolute best. In school, I never considered myself an over-achiever. I never studied as much as I should or read all that I should have. However, the classes that I took under the leadership of Dr. Fabrizio gave me a courage and confidence that I hadn't had before (except on the stage). It helped me gain a speaking voice. I also say that instead of arguing all the time, he taught me to argue with purpose...such a valuable lesson.
Shelly (Kennedy) Reed-voice teacher during college at McMurry: Shelly was my teacher, Shelly was a fellow choir member at my church home away from home at Heavenly Rest, and Shelly IS my friend. She brought out the very best in my voice. Music was not my major, but music is still a large part of my life. Shelly helped my pull off the surprise of a lifetime when we planned and executed my senior recital as a gift to my parents. I practiced all year, printed out programs, made invitations and even bought my own dress. When my parents showed up for graduation weekend, I handed them the invitation. That recital was one of the most fun things I have ever done.
Dr. Philip Shuler-Religion Professor at McMurry University: Dr. Shuler was my first advisor. He taught my McM101 class which is simply to start the connection between the student and the university. Though I changed my major and changed advisors, I still took a number of classes from Dr. Shuler. He was retiring after my senior year. I took a class with him my last semester. He spoke of ministry. He talked about how many either felt called or simply decided to go into the ministry based in the impact their church had on their lives growing up. He wanted us all to know that just because a job in ministry is a job focused on bringing others to Christ, doesn't mean that it is not also just another business. Some can be disillusioned going into ministry so he really just wanted any of us considering to be prepared. Now that I've been in children's ministry since I graduated college, I am thankful for the very important lesson that I learned from Dr. Shuler.
I could go on and on about many more teachers, but I'm sure most people have stopped reading by now. I'd like to however list those educators that are also quite special:
Melanie Moore-Choir at Lake Highlands JH
Terry Berrier-Choir at Lake Highlands HS
Kari Gilbertson-Choir Director at Forest Meadow JH, but helped out at LHHS
Cynthia Frith-voice teacher from 8th-12th grade
Dr. Stephen Eaves-Choir Director at McMurry University
Thanks to all of my teachers! And thanks to all teachers in general!
