Thanking Our Teachers
Today, October 5th, is World Teachers' Day. World Teachers' Day was started in 1994 by UNESCO and Education International to celebrate the teaching profession and work toward international teaching standards. This year, the focus of World Teacher Day is gender equality in the teaching profession.
To celebrate World Teachers' Day, StudentsFirst team members wrote about teachers who inspired them or made them who they are today. Both male and female teachers have had a huge impact on the lives of our staff members, particularly through helping them develop the critical life-long skill of writing and giving them confidence that they can succeed.
Mike Barr, Chief Financial Officer
My 4th grade teacher Mr. Clayton proved that a great teacher is more important than a fancy building. He mastered the challenge of teaching 30 kids in a "classroom" that was located in a corner of a gym, while the main building was under construction. And he gave confidence to a tall gawky kid with a stutter who had transferred in and only knew 4 kids in the school. Thank you Mr. Clayton.
Nancy Zuckerbrod, Sr. Writer
Mrs. Wolf was my teacher in second and third grade. I wrote my first 'book' in her class. It was only six pages, but it dealt with the weighty subject of my brother's rehabilitation after a head injury. As a little girl, my brother's accident was scary. But Mrs. Wolf created a safe environment for my 7-year-old self to explore those feelings and express myself through writing. To this day, when something's on my mind, I find comfort in a pen and paper and I have Mrs. Wolf to thank for that.
Danny Sherling, Outreach Team
One teacher in particular pushed, guided, and drove me to be the person I am today. Mr. Isabelli, my freshman year English teacher was known to be strict, difficult, and assign more homework than any of the other teachers at my high school. I was not looking forward to the first day of class. Throughout the following nine months, I learned more, was challenged often, and worked harder than I had ever before. Mr. Isabelli taught me to look past the letter grade I received and focus on the knowledge I gained. He inspired me to ask the difficult questions and not settle for a simple answer. Most importantly though, he believed that I would succeed and instilled that confidence in me. Thank you Mr. Isabelli, I would not be where I am today without you.
Michelle Rhee, Founder and CEO
My favorite teacher was Mr. Lundholm, my high school English teacher. Even though I felt like I was always struggling just to keep up, he made me feel special. Still today, Mr. Lundholm inspires me to do whatever is necessary to make sure every individual child has access to a great teacher and a great education.
Hari Sevugan, VP Communications
I owe a great deal to my 4th grade homeroom and social studies teacher Mrs. Schreferman. She never let me coast by, which I loved doing. And she did it with a smile. Because of her efforts I improved my achievement and as a result worlds of possibility were open to me. But more than anything she helped me to turn curiosity into a lifetime love of learning. And for that, I am ever thankful.
Brew McKenna, Development Director
My seventh grade English teacher, Mrs. Tresek, taught me, and seventy other 7th graders every year, how to write. She did whatever it took, however long it took, and by whatever means it took. She made class interesting and she held us accountable. She never sat down, she never accepted less than our best, and she believed that we were only as strong as our weakest link. There are times I've wondered if Mrs. Tresek ever knew the depth of her influence, but until I get the chance to thank her myself, I can only hope that I'm making her proud.
Craig Wallace, State Engagement Team
Of all the great teachers that I had, a couple stand out. FIrst, Mr. Hoffman brilliantly planned his Calculus class to ensure I was as ready as I could possibly be to ace the AP test that year. Mr. Thomas, who I had for 3 years of social studies in high school, challenged our preconceived notions of history and taught us to always consider the opposing point of view. These and other teachers inspired me to become a teacher through their hard work and dedication to their students.
Kathleen deLaski, Senior Advisor and former journalist
Mrs. Smith turned me into a writer in 10th grade. She taught me how to organize a five paragraph essay, rescued my dangling participles, and, with a few understated nods of approval, gave me the confidence to become a journalist. I didn't really want to go to my 30th reunion a few years back, but I wanted to find Mrs. Smith. I never thanked her.
Nithya Joseph, Outreach Team
My favorite teacher has to be Ms. Dann, my seventh and eighth grade English teacher. Anyone who had Ms. Dann will remember her for the rest of his or her life. In her class, Shakespeare's texts came to life as we reenacted Macbeth and recited soliloquies from Hamlet. We learned a deeper level of patriotism when we not only had analyze The Star Spangled Banner, but then were required to sing it in front of the entire class (not an easy task!). Best of all, when we would have a major exam, Ms. Dann would play the theme song from "Rocky" and proudly proclaim in the middle of the class, "You can do it! You are all rock stars and geniuses. Show this test who is boss!" I learned more in her class and had more fun while doing, than in any other class I have been in. Thank you Ms. Dann!
Eric Lerum, VP National Policy
Mr. Nuckles was my teacher for 9th grade Algebra II and 11th grade pre-calculus and was much nicer than his name sounded, but he could show you those too. He relentlessly pushed us to focus on the fundamentals and learn those first. He used to have these corny phrases he would repeat over and over. The one that stuck with me was, "Mr. Lerum, if you do not hunker down here, later on you'll be off at college and you will get drilled!" He was right.
