Sometimes It’s the Teacher and Not the Teaching
Posted: Friday, May 04, 2007
by David Tanguay
Looking back at my personal education, which did not go very far. No, further then the ninth grade.Yes, I was a high school dropout; however, I began my education in a parochial school (catholic school) with nuns who taught a lot of religion besides the education we needed to cope with the actual world. We moved out in the country (on a farm) when I was 12 years old and there I attended my first public school. This school was a very small school and had only two large rooms. The first three grades that is kindergarten thru the 3rd. grade in one room and 4th’ grade thru sixth grade in the other room. There were only two teachers one who taught the first three grades and the other who taught the other three higher grades. It sounds confusing however; it worked out quite well, with a proper system implemented.
What impressed me so much about our music teacher was not so much about music. I remember when she came in one Friday morning (Friday was the day for our music lessons) she came running into the classroom and told us all to come outside to listen to what was on her car radio. What was occurring on this particular day was an historical moment, in our country. the first American astronaut going into outer space. “Allen Shepard" in 1961 (I didn’t have to look up this information to write about it) I remember that day as if it were yesterday. After our music teacher left, our home schoolteacher told us this would be a day in our lives we would never forget.
Getting back to our music teacher, of course, we all have moments with our teachers we never forget although she only came in once a week and I was not one of her favorite music pupils. There, was something about her way of being so devoted to her work and very involved with her students individually. However most importantly the way she looked at you I cannot explain what I could see in her eyes that made a lasting impression on me. My most important lesson I learned from her was just plain devotion and hard work.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)I, too, have memories of a few teachers and the way they affected my life. Thanks for sharing your experiences.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting JLPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Dave, a great article. My Dad never earned a high school diploma but he helped us with our high school algebra, geometry and history. Like you, he had a teacher that left a lasting imprint on his mind to do his best. I'm grateful the two of you had an indelible influence of a great teacher. I also enjoyed this article!Please log in to respond to this comment.
hi david, i liked this story. it was interesting, and i think many people can relate to a favorite teacher making an impression, as well as not liking school. i couldn't get out fast enough! now i wish i had been a therapist or a lawyer, then i wouldn't be overdrawn in my bank account! thanks for your thoughts, best regards, sue thomPlease log in to respond to this comment.Hey Susan, being a therapist or lawyer doesn't require brains. Especially a lawyer they're nothing but a bunch of crooks. "Thanks for reading my article" did you manange with inserting your pictures O.K.?Please log in to respond to this comment.
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