Teacher Appreciation Week 2015

It is Teacher Appreciation Week, so I decided to feature my absolute favorite teacher of all time, 1st grade through college.

Meet Mrs. Straughn. I met her in 5th grade. She was old then, but she still had it. I actually had a parent stop by after Orientation one year, say to me, that they looked forward to their twins being in my class next year, as they had so enjoyed their son being in my classroom. They were extolling my virtues, but there is a but....The dad then said, "Oh, that will be your last year, maybe you won't be still giving it your all." Really?! I was so stinking mad, that I swore under my breath that I wouldn't have them in my class. The next week, I got the science coach job to finish out my career. I finished strong!

Uh oh... back to the point of Mrs. Straughn. She might have been in her waning years, but I never knew it. She was so inspiring. I remember how she dressed, how she was so poised, how she worked so hard to motivate us. She gave points for participation. The more questions you answered after reading your science and history, the more praise and points you received. She employed music to teach history. Mrs. Straughn had one strike against her as she was an Alabama graduate, but she told stories of going to college in a very rural area where honestly most would never see a college. She made you want to go to college. Stories of her family and her grandkids made me know I wanted more.

Once we took a field trip to her home. She had the most amazing gardens, but her prized flower to grow was the daylily. She had rows upon rows in all colors. She lived right on main street in Repton, Alabama, so everyone saw her daylilies. 

I could go on and on about her, but she really made a difference in my view of the world and what I wanted to do in life. I never had a teacher I loved more. 

Other favorites are...

• Mrs. Wharton who taught me 9th and 11th grade English and 10th grade world history.
• Mrs. Cotton who taught me home economics every year of high school. 
• Mr. Rushing who taught me 6th and 8th grade English who praised me constantly for my cursive handwriting. 

Teachers have a very important role in life. I believe we need those that push us hard coupled with those that use praise generously. It really takes both, but above all to be professional and do what is best for the students who come through their classrooms.

To all those who pushed and praised, I am grateful for you.

Sandy

"I touch the future. I teach." ---Christa McAuliffe

The Medical Book

I was reading a novel a couple of weeks ago that reminded me of our family's allegiance to the all knowing medical book.

The first one we had was purchased in 1964. It was the go to book for all and any ailments. My mama lived by what it advised. I can't tell you how many times we referred to it as it was always readily available. I am not sure if anyone else used it like we did, but the novel I was reading indicated that there might be others out there just like us.

If anyone came home from the doctor with a problem, either Mama or me were reading about the symptoms, cures, etc.

I was at Mama's the other day when I spotted the original medical book on a book shelf. I asked if I could have it. I have been skimming through it. Many things have changed, but there are some tried and true parts to it as well. I must tell you I like the weight scale in it better than today's recommended weights. Today's are probably more on target though.

For Mother's Day 1984, I decided Mama had been reading a 20 year old book for too long, so I bought I her an updated version. I know that might seem like an odd gift, but she loved it.

Of course, now we have the Internet, but it doesn't evoke nearly as many memories of trying to predict what was wrong or figure out the treatment.

Anyone else out there use the medical book?

Sandy


---a few more pics because I couldn't resist.