Teachers make a difference!

Dan has 8 elementary teachers before he moved onto West Intermediate this year. Sam has now had 5 teachers since beginning elementary school. Every one of the teachers (including long term subs) have been fantastic. Each have had different strengths and personalities. Each one has given their best to what they are doing. Each one has made a difference in the lives of many children and I am pleased to say mine are among those.

We have a tradition of inviting school teachers to the annual church primary program. Some years I'm more on top of that than others. I admit to failing a few times at extending the invitation. For those unfamiliar this is an opportunity for each child to share something they have learned through the year in their church class (primary). There is a new theme each year and the songs they learn go along with that. They then get to present their program to us during the main meeting (Sacrament meeting). It is one of my favorite Sundays each year. Even before I had the opportunity to be the chorister for many years, teaching the songs to the children, I loved this event. It was natural for us to want to share with others. Dan has since moved out of primary and is no longer one of the "little kids". Sam has struggled with much during primary and yet he was more than willing to share his talk and sit up front and even attempted singing some of the songs (which he finds challenging because he can't keep up).

At the risk of sounding like I'm playing favorites I wanted to share a recent picture of Sam and his current 3rd grade teacher. This year as in a few previous years, teachers have come. Sam just lit up when he saw her walking through the parking lot toward him, where he had been waiting. Fortunately I was smart enough to remember the camera and captured a quick picture before we went inside. Sam was not without his challenges that day but made it through and did a great job with his talk. The best part was seeing many children come say hello to Sam's teacher and see the smiles on their face because she had been their teacher as well. There is no question in my mind as to the value and positive influence a teacher can have. So to Mrs Nowicki and to all the many other teachers who we personally know and care about and the many who we will never meet - we say thank you for caring about our children!