Teachers touch our lives! I bet you can think of one who made a difference in your life. Maybe they thought there was something great in you, gave you confidence in a talent you have or were just so cool, that you wanted to be just like him or her.
For this post, I wanted to share with you something super special that has been a part of The Inspired Classroom since 2010! Over the years, I have invited people to add stories about teachers that have made an impact on their lives in our Google Document “In Appreciation of Teachers”. So many of them are stories of teachers who have touched the lives of their students, changed them, helped them grow, even inspired another to become a teacher.
We’ve since moved those tributes to the comments here! There are some wonderful stories paying tribute to remarkable teachers. Please take a moment to read through them.
Then, get inspired from the great stories that you have read and share a story of your own! Please leave your comment below the blog post. We can’t wait to read your beautiful tributes to teachers who have made a difference in your life!
If you’re in a place where:
All you need is to give yourself the gift of time to discover what it is inside our Brand New Workshop!
Dr. Steven Molinsky , director of the M.Ed. in TESOL program t B.U., taught me how to write original materials for my ESL students. Back in 1975 there were few good textbooks for our beloved students. After 35 years in the field, Steve continues to inspire and I continue to write!
Isn’t it great to think back to those teachers who have not only touched our lives, but molded who we are? Thanks for sharing!!
Appreciating Betty Childs, my fourth grade teacher. She was kind and patient. She motivated me and made me love school. Her love of literature inspires me to love to read and to pass that love onto my own students. –Kate Gilbert
Appreciating Karen Iworsky: As an unofficial mentor to me and many others I am sure, I am inspired to be a better teacher each day. She consistently has a smile on her face and is willing to support anyone in anyway. She is kind, nuturing and most importantly in our profession, FUN! The Cashman Elementary School would not be the same place without her! Her dedication to making our community a FUN place to work is outstanding. She believes that as adults, we need to take care of us so that we may take care of the little ones in our daily care. She is phenomenal and I am very, very lucky to have her work next to me each day! Victoria
Appreciating Jan Collins, retired, Highlands School, Danvers, MA
My fifth grade teacher was firm, yet fair. I loved having her as my teacher and she is the main reason why I became a teacher myself. We did many fun and interesting projects that sparked creativity and interest like creating magazines for writing and working with clay in social studies. And who could forget the end of the year trip to the beach! Thanks, Mrs. Collins!
Appreciating Mrs. Switzer my 8th grade History Teacher at Malberg Jr High, Cherry Hill NJ
She gave us all kinds of “crazy” projects to do which was so not the things at the time. We thought she was nuts, but I still remember those experiences and things I learned and now that is the way I teach. 🙂
Appreciating Mrs. Edith Novad my 7th,8th & 9th grade (in two years, 1966. 1967) English teacher, JHS 44, New York, NY. The best school experience ever! We did so many unusual things: We took Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cites, rewrote it as a musical and filmed it; we taught her adolescent literature class at Teachers College, two annual trips to see Shakespeare plays we had read and analyzed in class, and more. Every day was an adventure in guided discovery of our intellects and other talents.
Appreciating Alan Glassman, retired, Newburgh Free Academy, Newburgh, NY
He was my high school special education resource teacher. He was the first teacher that saw I had potential. He was the first teacher that was straight with me, told me LD did not mean little dummy. Alan Glassman gave me the kick in the butt I needed to become successful. He is the reason I am able to reach my students as I do. Alan Glassman made me the teacher I am today. I have lost touch with him and I do not know if he would even remember me. If you are reading this Mr. Glassman, just know I am at least one positive difference you have made in the world. You would be proud of what I have become. You would be proud of the lives I have changed, just like you changed mine.
–Ted
Appreciating Bill Ball, my 8th grade English teacher
Mr. Ball created a classroom atmosphere that was the perfect mix of fun and hard work. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was passionate and energetic. I knew he had high expectations and he made me want to work hard to reach the bar he set for me and my peers. As he did for all his students I’m sure, he made me feel special and valued. When he told you you did a good job, it meant something. I was always excited to walk into his room. I can only hope that my students think that I share some of his exceptional qualities!
Beth
Appreciating Emily Morency and Pauline Boutin, These two ladies were my cooperating teachers during my student teaching. Not only did they teach me a lot about being a competent, caring and effective teacher, they also allowed me to grow by trying new ideas and lessons. They trusted me to use my budding talents as an educator, supported me and encouraged me. Thank you for that. ~Elizabeth
Appreciating Maureen Hardin, my inspiration and mentor for becoming a Library Media Specialist. Maureen Hardin, the School Library Media Specialist at the Amesbury Middle School, Amesbury, MA is solely responsible for introducing me to library science. This shift in career allowed me to teach, which was my undergraduate degree, and combine my love of children’s literacy. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love my job! Mary Ann
Appreciating Angela Lenox, EXeter HS: My daughter never really like school-until high school biology. We always knew she had science tendancies-she loved creating and experimenting and was full of curiosity. She will tell you today this was one of her favorite classes. Who knows why? But today, our daughter is in school to become a nurse and is finishing up her college biology class. Thank you Dr. Lenox.
Appreciating Dr. Nathaniel Smith, visiting professor at BU (1978 -1979) Dr. Smith was incredibly energetic and loved teaching French Literature. I was an undergrad and all literature courses at BU were grad courses. I often felt intimidated, yet Dr. Smith was a constant source of encouragement to me. He valued my input into the course and truly believed in my success. He believed in his students, and it made me feel worthy. Madame / Señora Price
Appreciating Arrianne Krystow, York High School (1999 and 2000): Mrs Krsytow was my English teacher my sophomore and junior year of high school. It was through her enthusiasm, dedication to her students and obvious love of learning that I became inspired to also become a high school English teacher. So, thank you Miss Krystow for opening my eyes to a career that has truly revitalized my life.
~Kristina
Appreciating Cheryl Boucher (Exeter High School): Your steadfast dedication to your students inspires me each and every day. I have never met someone who is so completely invested in their students. You put your heart and soul into teaching, and it shows. You win my vote for the “hero of the year” award! ~Kristina
Appreciating MaryJane Devlin (Clinton, CT): My mom is a retired kindergarten teacher, who still tells stories of “my kids”
Appreciating Joyce Hildebrand (London, OH): my high school drama teacher
She believed in me when I didn’t think I had the courage or the talent to be on the stage. She is why I do what I do today, and why I still believe that everyone has talent that deserves discovery.
Appreciating Elizabeth Peterson (Amesbury, MA): Elizabeth is a wonderful fourth grade teacher. No only is she inspiring to her students she inspires the teachers that work around her. Since Elizabeth has been working in the room next to me I’ve heard music playing, students creating plays, and Mozart! She has opened my mind by taking me on many excellent teacher field trips where I’ve been inspired by what I see, not only in terms of the classroom, but in my personal life as well! Thank you Elizabeth!
~Courtney
Appreciating Judy Reilly( Haverhill, MA): Mrs. Reilly made such a profound impact on my life and anyone that had her as a first grade teacher.
Her kind, welcoming demeanor and the ability to love, manage, and teach over 25 students to read was remarkable. Her classroom was full of the love of learning. She was beautiful, inside and out, and always impeccably dressed from head to toe. Every afternoon we completed a small integrated project that was a reward for work well done in the morning.
Leslie
Appreciating Robert Mulgrew (formerly of the Marymount School of New York) Mr. Mulgrew was a teacher that saw his students as whole people. He encouraged us to learn Latin or English (depending on which course he was teaching at the time), but he also encouraged us to explore our own morals and ethics as we became young adults. His lessons and the culture he created in his classes come back to me often as I teach my own students and watch my own children begin their education. Thanks! Beth
Appreciation Dr. Steven Molinsky , director of the M.Ed. in TESOL program t B.U., taught me how to write original materials for my ESL students. Back in 1975 there were few good textbooks for our beloved students. After 35 years in the field, Steve continues to inspire and I continue to write!
Judy
Appreciating Marianne Nicol-Curry (Amesbury, Ma): Marianne is unknowingly, my mentor. She is one of the best teachers I have ever had the priviledge of working with. She inspires me everyday to think about students and to always remember to promote developmentally appropriate practice and to cherish students for who they are and to embrace their different learning styles. She is kind, caring, has the biggest heart a human being could possibly have, and most importantly, she is extremely knowledgeable about child development and the ever-changing kindergarten curriculum. She comes to work early and stays late. She works for hours each weekend and never complains. Thank you, Marianne for helping me to love teaching kindergarten!
Sharon
Appreciating Mrs Snow and Mrs Dean (Rockingham, Western Australia): Mrs Snow was my Yr 6 teacher, who nurtured my love of writing and art. Mrs Dean, believe it or not, was my Yr 1 teacher. I can’t remember much of being in her class, but I’ve learnt (through more recent conversations) just how much she shaped the rest of my life – she taught me to write, something which I struggled with as a kid. I’ve had the opportunity to return to my former school both as a student-teacher, and as a substitute teacher; working alongside these wonderful, inspirational teachers who meant so much to me – and inspired my entry into teaching. I was able to thank them for their work, some 15 years later. For that, I am forever grateful.
Michael