Teacher Love

On this MOST IMPORTANT of occasions, Teacher Appreciation Week, I need to sow some seeds of teacher love with my most refined skill of blogging wordsmith-ery (and yes, I do make up words when the occasion calls for such).  I am educated and I have the diplomas to prove it.  I am very proud of accomplishing my own personal goal of graduating college, however, my love for school and learning was cultivated many years before I could even find the hypotenuse of a right triangle.  
It all started back in a little Lutheran school in Hollywood, FL when I was 3 years old.  
St. Mark's!!! Woo Hoo!!!  
Some of my fondest childhood memories (as well as some of the most difficult life lessons I learned) date back to the 11 years I spent there.  It was the dedication of the teachers and coaches at that school that prepared me to excel in high school, then college...and ultimately in life. 
I would like to now publicly thank the STAND-OUT teachers who helped to mold me into the fabulous and smart person I am today. (I'm humble too folks)
Mrs. Human (3K) - Thanks for the finger painting lessons and not judging me when I ate paste that one time.  That other kid made me do it.
Mrs. Zugar (4K) - Top 3 Teachers of All time - You were always kind and patient with me (and there were 15 other 4 year olds in the room at all times with me) and even 31 years later I can still feel your love for me.
Ms. Drumm (2nd grade) - Your love of Miss Piggy was awe-inspiring and I always loved when you would play records for us to sing to (and you didn't get mad at me that time when I crapped my pink Michael Jackson zipper pants. You just called my Mom and told me I would be OK)
Mrs. Walker (4th grade) - I love Egyptology and will one day visit the country because of you and I LOVED when we would create nick-knacks out of clay and then have it baked and shined up real pretty so we could give it to our parents.  I loved singing in your choir.
Mr. Wrase (6th grade + Volleyball, Basketball, and Softball Coach for all of Middle School) - I will never forget you standing on the blacktop with your stopwatch as we all ran 14 1/2 times around it for the mile during P.E. class. I hated doing it back then but because of you I know that whatever I start in life also needs to be finished too.  You taught me to never quit...even when the win was out of reach, even when every fiber in my being is telling me to stop immediately.  Your advice and coaching has proved INVALUABLE time and time again...even now at 35 years old. I loved playing volleyball for you and we had one fantastic team!
Mr. Keisel (8th grade) - Thanks for always treating me with respect and introducing me to some pretty amazing literature in the short amount of time I spent as your student.  I also LOVED being the Red Queen in the 8th Grade stage Smash Hit production of Alice In Wonderland.  They still haven't sent me my SAG card yet ;)
Mrs. Marsh (9th grade English teacher) - Top 3 Teachers of All time - You single-handedly inspired me to write. Because of you I consider myself a writer.  Granted, I have yet to be paid for anything that I have written...but I have a group of friends that think I have some talent there. (and I did win that $500 scholarship on a World Peace essay I wrote) That's all you Mrs. Marsh...all you!
Mr. Florio (Browardettes Coach for 3 years in high school) - Top 3 Teachers of All time - You cultivated my love of dance and all things that require fearlessness.  I blossomed under your direction.  A fluffy Freshman was transformed into a FIERCE and FABULOUS Junior right before your very eyes. I believed in my greatness because you did first. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


I have had a small glimpse into this thankless, heart-breaking, difficult and most importantly rewarding profession thanks to the last nine years my sister has been teaching elementary school and I realize that the best teachers are called to teach.  There are more politics in the public school system than there are in D.C.  I am so proud of my sister and she is my unofficial 'Favorite Teacher of All-Time' as a result. Jenn; I have met many of your classes and I can safely say that you have them all safely wrapped around your little finger.  You are amazing with your kids and you are inspiring them to greatness. I love you girl!


To all the teachers out there now doing the good work you do so well...THANK YOU! A thousand thanks.  
The saying should go "Those who can make a difference in the world of a child teach."