Nov. 16 is the first day of the National Education Association’s American Education Week. Aside from parents, there is no group of people more influential in our children’s lives than their teachers.
I can still remember the teachers I had during my years in the Great Valley School District -- the fourth-grade teacher who let me be the first to read a new book because she knew my father was in the hospital at the time, or the sixth-grade teacher who increased my fascination with science by bringing in cow parts from the local butcher for us to dissect.
Now it’s my daughter, Kate, that’s influencing a future generation. After a few years of working in research, she decided that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of students and inspire others -- in particular females -- to go into science, so she went into teaching.
She is now an AP biology teacher in Maryland and just loves her work. She is so proud of her students -- especially last year’s class valedictorian who went to University of Maryland (where my daughter went) and majored in environmental science and policy/biology, just like Kate.
So thank a teacher for influencing and making a lasting impression on you and future generations.