Thanksgiving time is the perfect time to look back and appreciate all those special people that inspired me along my journey growing up. Some I remember their names clearly. Others I remember what and why they inspired me. Either way I am so thankful for them seeing the gifts I had to bring to the party.
2nd grade. I had a teacher that realized I could read far beyond my age group. She was always encouraging me to read 'older kids' books. Of course I was one of the those kids that read a lot of books every week so I was all in! She also had me give verbal book reports in front of the class which was scary at first but I got used to it.
5th grade. Sister Ann Lorette. She realized that I loved precision and math and encouraged me to take on projects to better suit my likes and to keep me motivated and busy with projects. She even taught all of the kids to needlepoint (or something like that) and I loved it. Don't think I ever have done it since but it taught me how to do it right the first time! Or else....
Freshman year at boarding school. I swore up and down I did not want to be a secretary ( I wanted to be like my Dad (the Boss).My Dad worked out a deal with the nuns that I would take sewing for one year in lieu of all the secretary type classes. Ugh I hated it - at first. The nun must have been 80 years old (not really). After a short period of time I figured out she was the smartest, kindest and STRICTEST nun on campus. Holy smokes she sure taught me how to sew extremely well. And we're talking pendelton wools with every plaid matching perfectly for those sewers out there! Again...do it right the first time lesson! I loved that nun to pieces!!
Mrs Fiefield and Father Murphy. Mrs Fiefield was the Head of Athletics and Father Murphy was the basketball coach. In that school it was required that you excel in academics as well as sports. Which was fine with me as I grew up playing sports with my 5 brothers - Piece of cake for me! One day Mrs Fiefield asked me if I'd be interested in being the captain of a team. YES! I would.....and I was off to the races in volleyball, basketball and tennis. She and Father Brian taught me so much about encouraging others and being a leader. And I got pretty good at all those sports as well.
Well I could go on but I don't want to drag this out t00 far......there were so many other teachers/coaches that went over and above in my growing up years. And for that, I am truly grateful!
Oh wait.....senior year. One more I promise! Dr Ken B, my economics teacher. Honestly I had no idea of what economics was back them. But I figured out that I loved the class because Dr Ken was incredibly encouraging. I distinctly remember him saying to me, you are amazing at economics and it could be a career path for you. Well it didn't turn out that way but to this day I watch the financial markets closely. Thank you Dr Ken!
As we move closer to Thanksgiving I look forward to feeling and being grateful for it all. And especially for Debe Maxwell, CRS and Margaret Rome, Baltimore Maryland for hosting my favorite contest of the year! Thank you Ladies!
Grateful for Inspiring Teachers and Coaches
Comments(41)