There is nothing more important to young students than an inspiring teacher. Someone who teaches them about the world and challenges them to reach their full potential.
Saw this story last night about a little girl in 4th grade. She was shuffled around from home to home, very poor and felt worthless. Until her teacher gave her a job of passing out crackers. She said for the first time in her life she felt important.
That little 4th grader was Oprah.
I had a teacher like that for my kids, Mrs. King. She was their first teacher and taught the "older 2's" in preschool. She loved completely and unconditionally. She taught my oldest daughter, Emily, then two years later my son, Andy. She let my kids be who they truly are. She let Emily be the loud social butterfly, and let Andy be the quiet sensitive one. She encouraged them and didn't try to get them to fit into her mold.
Last year when she sent home a project of tracing everyone's feet in the family to learn about big, bigger, and biggest. It was the first time I didn't send it back in. She didn't know that Daddy didn't live in our home anymore. No one knew yet except for family and close friends. I couldn't bring myself to do the project, the hurt was still very real at that time. After a week had gone by she kindly reminded me to send it back, with a knot in my stomach and a lump in my throat I did it. Baby Zoe's feet were little, Andy's feet were big, Emily's were bigger, and Mommy's were the biggest. I slipped it in Andy's backpack, and silently prayed that no one would say anything. She kept my secret until I was ready to talk about it. When I finally "went public" with an email to family and friends, she called me and with a smile said, "So…You want to tell me about this breakup?" She listened and offered her help.
When we were moving so I could work with K-LOVE, she watched my kids at her house while I packed and loaded up the van. She protected my kids and me. She made us feel worthy of love, something all four of us needed very desperately.
Tell me about an amazing teacher in your life that has inspired and encouraged you or your kids.