Partnership Educators,
Two Sections today: Teacher Appreciation Week & a Special Mother’s Day Story
Teacher Appreciation Week:
Today is the Friday of Teacher Appreciation Week. I want to say thank you to all of our dedicated teachers who work hard every day to build powerful connections with our students. Some students do not always seem to show appreciation for your efforts, but someday those efforts will show fruit. Just knowing that fact should make you pause and consider the impact that you have on the community in which you live, the world that our students will create, and the future of our society. Every day I meet wonderful kids who I am proud to call a neighbor. Teachers are a huge part of that fact. Here are some cute stories from Reader's Digest that outline the impact of teaching.
Years ago, while teaching first grade, I was giving directions for a writing assignment. I described the usual format: capital letters and punctuation. I stated that this particular task would be about a person whom they admired, someone who was important to them. We spoke of moms and dads, grandmas and grandpas. I ended my explanation and told them to begin. Then I saw his hand. I walked over to my student, who could be quite challenging at times. In his quiet voice, he asked, “Can I write about you?” It’s those moments that make me stay. —Melissa O'Connor, Sunrise, Florida
A group of uniformed servicemen was exiting a restaurant as a group of teacher friends and I walked in wearing our school shirts. I thanked them for their service. As they walked away, I heard one say, "They're the ones who work in a war zone of runny noses, stacks of papers, and a thousand questions a day. I prefer my job!" Coming from a military family, I was both humbled and amused by our mutual admiration. —Stephanie Woodard, Missouri City, Texas
Billy was the resident cowboy of my kindergarten class, coming to school each day dressed in chaps, a vest, and a cowboy hat. One morning, he excitedly told me that his mother was going to have a baby. “I’m going to teach my little brother all the things every cowboy should know, like how to ride a horse and rope a steer,” he exclaimed. “But,” I cautioned, “what if your mother gives you a baby sister?” Billy had never considered this, and the possibility stunned him. He gazed out the window for a moment, before saying with resignation, “Then I’m headin’ west.” —John Cimics, Midland, Texas
Special Mother’s Day Story,
At the turn of the twentieth century, a St. Lewis laundress would cross the Mississippi River twice a day with a basket of clothes balanced on her head. A daughter of former slaves. She was born and raised on a farm, orphaned at seven, married at fourteen. She and her husband lived in Mississippi and they had a daughter. Then at twenty, our laundress’ husband died and any dream of prosperity they had, died with him. She took the few dollars she had and moved herself and her daughter to St. Lewis. The laundry work and other odd jobs helped her tiny family to survive and get by.
Then one evening she stared at the bridge that she used each day and it dawned on her what a marvel it was. How the bridge had changed the lives of those that had to cross the Mississippi. Instead of using a canoe or other means to cross, they could easily walk over the mighty river. It was this realization that determined her to discover a new way to do something. In turn to make a better life for her and her daughter and leave a legacy for her daughter to be proud.
That inspirational day on the bridge in St. Lewis started the journey of Sarah Breedlove or who became known as Madam C.J. Walker. The first self-made woman millionaire. She made cosmetics to make her fortune but was a savvy business entrepreneur. She was a person that a daughter can look up to and be proud.
Happy Mother’s Day
Check out this 5 min heartfelt mother’s day message from a son. Get out the tissue.
https://youtu.be/7EyniGvsVg8
Have a great weekend,