Those Who Can Teach
This week I've been pondering what a difference a teacher
can make, but for a very sad reason.
Charlene Brown, history teacher at El Diamante High School,
and a former English and history teacher at La Joya
Middle School in Visalia, and Steve Garvey Jr. High in Lindsay, tragically
passed away of cancer at a very young age.
Her untimely death was indeed a tragedy. But her career has
left a legacy, which was evidenced by the hundreds of students who attended
the celebration of her life to honor their teacher.
Teachers do leave a lasting impression.
Recently, my husband looked at the return address of a Christmas
card and said, “Oh, how is Mr. Wiggins?” My husband
came into my life six years and 1,500 miles beyond high school, and yet he
knows the name of my high school band director.
Then he asked, “Was he the one who made you run laps?” No,
that was my best friend's father and our health teacher/track coach, Mr. Jake.
When I'd spend the night and we'd stay up too late and/or be too loud Mr.
Jake had a cure. He'd make us go outside and run laps around their house until
we were tired.
Now, did they leave their mark? I might not have a sixteenth
note of musical talent, but from Mr. Wiggins I did learn to appreciate music
and in turn encouraged my own children to study music.
And, while I've never sent out my boys to run laps to get
them to go to sleep, it's only because I happen to know that it didn't work.
I've actually met Mrs. McRae, who drilled my husband and
all her junior high English students, until, purportedly,
they could dissect sentences in their sleep. Now that's a skill I'm very grateful
he has – because he's always the first one to read through my column.
And I feel like I know Miss Bailey, his devoted drama teacher
and coach. He tells me that she inspired him to reach deep inside and give
his best, although he admits it was by pushing him hard and sometimes yelling
like a banshee.
Little do these teachers know that they are still influencing
the lives of their students, and through us a whole
new generation.
Our stories might be ancient history, but isn't it great
that there are still teachers, like Miss Brown, who care enough to give of
themselves and are still making a difference?
My college student son always wants to visit Mr. Sprague
and Mr. Tackett when he's home on break. They were his band directors and
mentors and I know how much he values their opinions and now, their friendship.
Both my older boys had and loved Mrs. Bree as a
fifth grade teacher. She impressed our whole family with her intelligence
that was only surpassed by her kind nature. For months my youngest son has
been trying to finagle a way back to his old school to go visit Mrs. Johnston,
a teacher who pushed him hard to give his best, but (fortunately) never yelled
like a banshee!
Those great teachers are still out there.
My 16-year-old had Charlene Brown for world history this
year. From what he's told me she engaged her students with her enthusiastic
stories and sense of humor. Her love of learning turned learning into a game
for them. And she was so dedicated to her class that she taught right up until
winter break started despite her illness. My son might not remember all the
names and dates he learned in her class, but I'm certain he'll never forget
his inspirational teacher.
Charlene Brown's funeral was a stirring show of how many
people one person's life can touch. She gave of herself so much; she will
live on in the young people that she taught.
Teachers always leave an impression on their students. Extraordinary
teachers can imprint their name on generations.
To Miss Brown and all the exceptional teachers out there, many thanks for all the many lives you have touched, and are touching still.
Send comments to RoniSMiller@yahoo.com
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The Valley Voice Newspaper and may not be reprinted without explicit permission
in writing from the publisher.
