Proud mother of a 3rd grade teacher here, tearing up (as usual) at this beautiful ode to your professor and her legacy that lives on through your words. Like they say: "To teach is to touch lives forever." It's cuter when you write it out like a math problem and put it on a miniature chalkboard Christmas ornament, but the sentiment holds true in any medium. God bless all the teachers!
“The unassuming woman, who could have been great, but chose to make others greater.”
Humility and servitude to others, qualities seemingly lacking in today’s society if you listen to media. You never know the impact you can have if you follow the tenets of Jesus. All due to a father who shared his love of books.
English teachers left their stamp on me, that’s for sure! Mrs. Barnes - 3rd grade, taped every word I wrote on the wall with a big A on it. She encouraged me to write more. Mr. Pluister - 8th grade English, taught us how to diagram sentences. It seemed a bit silly at the time, but the “rules” still stick with me and the visuals of the diagramming to define each word and its proper place in our language. Mr. Mayfield - 10th grade English taught us about term papers and literary critique, compare and contrast, and such. He was a fierce stickler for spelling and punctuation. Just yesterday, in my writer’s critique group, one of my cohorts said, “I don’t see any punctuation or spelling mistakes. How do you do that?” 😊 Thank you Mrs. Barnes, Mr. Pluister, and Mr. Mayfield. 🤗
I LOVED diagramming sentences. I may have told this story before, but my very first essay for English 101, I got a B+ on it, but NO red ink. However, at the end, the teacher wrote: Your grammar and spelling are at least 1,000 percent better than the average freshman, but you have nothing to say! I was devastated and did not write creatively again for decades until I decided to write a novel. Never published it, but it opened the fountains of words pouring from my fingers to this day! I'll recognize Miss Quinlan, Miss Blankenship and Miss Whatley. fifth grade, freshman high school and junior in high school teachers in order. Miss Quinlan was my favorite! She taught me diagramming!
To teach with heart and soul is the greatest investment one could make. Love of classroom and students is evident. More times than not, students return with deepest gratitude to educators who made a difference in their life……this is their reward. Today’s thank you is better than all the Oscar’s ever given! May God continue to call out educators such as this tweed skirt English teacher! Just look at how she changed our daily reading!
My husband was the pastor of the Walnut Park Advent Christian Church on Grady St. I believe the church was sold many years after we left. I was 23 yrs old. Our daughter was born at Baptist hospital in August 1976 on the same day a gas station directly across the street from the hospital exploded. We moved to a small north Florida city In October 1977 & I’ve been here ever since.
I remember visiting & staying at the Guntersville State Park Lodge. We would also visit friends at their cabin in Cloudland, GA. I also remember the night sky glowing an eerie orange color from the burn-off flame at Republic Steel which was visible from our front porch.
Gadsden holds many mixed memories for me... my husband at age 27 were diagnosed with IHSS which eventually ended his life at age 55. Our daughter was diagnosed with stage 2+ cancer, a neuroblastoma, at age 13 months. My miracle daughter turned 47 yoa in 2023.
From heartache often comes miracles.
Have a great day & thanks for reminding me of Gadsden. 🙂
Jan, how about that! We were in Gadsden about the same period! You reminded me of that gasoline station deadly accident! It happened late August in east Gadsden?
I've been trying to figure out where you & Nazem got "Gadsden" from this column? Or, was it just from a previous disclosure that I just don't remember?
And thank the Lord for your daughter's ongoing recovery!
There was an absolute parade of dear ladies, commencing with my sixth grade teacher (‘54-‘55) who passed before my mind’s eye after reading this. Yes, a couple of them specifically taught English, but all of them, and a few of their male counterparts, contributed to my lifelong love of reading, writing, and just wanting to know more. Oh, they all frequently wore tweed! Thanks for stirring the memory pot, Sean. ❤️
...Thank Textile Chemistry for Lycra/Spandex, the material from which those Wonder Woman capes are made! I have a circle of women friends from all walks of life who sport them under a wide variety of wardrobes...(and if Sister Maureen Francis of St. Patrick's couldn't get you on the right path, NOBODY could!)
I am forever indebted, as all of us are, to the teachers who dedicated themselves to helping us become what we were created to be. After 75 years I still remember several of them. One, Mrs Guthrie, was my 4th grade teacher for whom I held a serious “crush.” On several occasions she would say, “ Mr Kimbrough , would you please get your voiced down out of the chandeliers?” Another word of advice shared specifically with me was, “ Mr Kimbrough, an empty wagon rattles.” What I remember most however, was her perfumes. When she walked down the halls she left a trail on fragrance behind. I also thought she was beautiful. The fourth grade was one of my better years.
I love this. Three of my kids are teachers (special ed., high school math, theology) and I am so proud of them. I'm almost sure they each had at least one teacher like your English professor. (I did--they're why I write, too.) We should all remember to be grateful to them.
Many, if not most, if not all for that matter, who actually shape us and form us into whatever we are, good or bad, never know their impact. Such is life.
It takes a very very special person to teach and this little woman was very so much special and thanks to her for teaching you we get to read your many wonderful stories and amazing heartfelt words my dear friend may she rest in peace 🙏
After 23 years at the same school, I recently retired from teaching General Music to 3 year olds to 5th graders. I truly loved my job! I can only hope I left a positive lasting impact on my students. That, and creating a love of music within my students, was always my goal. I appreciate the tribute to your teacher.❤️
Proud mother of a 3rd grade teacher here, tearing up (as usual) at this beautiful ode to your professor and her legacy that lives on through your words. Like they say: "To teach is to touch lives forever." It's cuter when you write it out like a math problem and put it on a miniature chalkboard Christmas ornament, but the sentiment holds true in any medium. God bless all the teachers!
Most excellent LIT!
Pu
Beautiful tribute.
My favorite lines of this column:
“But her father loved books and brought them home from the library by the armful. She read aloud to him each evening by the fireplace.”
I sit by the fireside and hear this too….loved it!
Fireside Reading is the Best❣️
You're so right Carl!
Pubert
This former English teacher loves this column.
So does this one. I believe that teaching English opens the world to our students, and they, in turn, teach us so much.
This one too!
Yes!!!!
“The unassuming woman, who could have been great, but chose to make others greater.”
Humility and servitude to others, qualities seemingly lacking in today’s society if you listen to media. You never know the impact you can have if you follow the tenets of Jesus. All due to a father who shared his love of books.
Home run Dolores!
PEB
Very well said Dolores
English teachers left their stamp on me, that’s for sure! Mrs. Barnes - 3rd grade, taped every word I wrote on the wall with a big A on it. She encouraged me to write more. Mr. Pluister - 8th grade English, taught us how to diagram sentences. It seemed a bit silly at the time, but the “rules” still stick with me and the visuals of the diagramming to define each word and its proper place in our language. Mr. Mayfield - 10th grade English taught us about term papers and literary critique, compare and contrast, and such. He was a fierce stickler for spelling and punctuation. Just yesterday, in my writer’s critique group, one of my cohorts said, “I don’t see any punctuation or spelling mistakes. How do you do that?” 😊 Thank you Mrs. Barnes, Mr. Pluister, and Mr. Mayfield. 🤗
I had a great English teacher in high school, too, Becky. Ms. Reynolds taught me English (mostly lit) in 9th and 12th grades. She was super!
I LOVED diagramming sentences. I may have told this story before, but my very first essay for English 101, I got a B+ on it, but NO red ink. However, at the end, the teacher wrote: Your grammar and spelling are at least 1,000 percent better than the average freshman, but you have nothing to say! I was devastated and did not write creatively again for decades until I decided to write a novel. Never published it, but it opened the fountains of words pouring from my fingers to this day! I'll recognize Miss Quinlan, Miss Blankenship and Miss Whatley. fifth grade, freshman high school and junior in high school teachers in order. Miss Quinlan was my favorite! She taught me diagramming!
To teach with heart and soul is the greatest investment one could make. Love of classroom and students is evident. More times than not, students return with deepest gratitude to educators who made a difference in their life……this is their reward. Today’s thank you is better than all the Oscar’s ever given! May God continue to call out educators such as this tweed skirt English teacher! Just look at how she changed our daily reading!
I am surrounded by outstanding teachers every time I substitute for them in our small town grade school.
And the most important ingredient in our strong and successful program is the obvious LOVE that our staff puts in to what they do EVERY SINGLE DAY📚💝✏️
Si Madam!
Pubert
Thanks Sean!
Big salute to my great English teachers Mrs Thompson and Mr Ron Bagby! They were at Gadsden Junior College, Alabama around mid 70's!
Nazem-
Just sharing a few memories with you...
I lived in Gadsden from Mar. ‘76- Oct. ‘77.
My husband was the pastor of the Walnut Park Advent Christian Church on Grady St. I believe the church was sold many years after we left. I was 23 yrs old. Our daughter was born at Baptist hospital in August 1976 on the same day a gas station directly across the street from the hospital exploded. We moved to a small north Florida city In October 1977 & I’ve been here ever since.
I remember visiting & staying at the Guntersville State Park Lodge. We would also visit friends at their cabin in Cloudland, GA. I also remember the night sky glowing an eerie orange color from the burn-off flame at Republic Steel which was visible from our front porch.
Gadsden holds many mixed memories for me... my husband at age 27 were diagnosed with IHSS which eventually ended his life at age 55. Our daughter was diagnosed with stage 2+ cancer, a neuroblastoma, at age 13 months. My miracle daughter turned 47 yoa in 2023.
From heartache often comes miracles.
Have a great day & thanks for reminding me of Gadsden. 🙂
Jan, how about that! We were in Gadsden about the same period! You reminded me of that gasoline station deadly accident! It happened late August in east Gadsden?
Thanks for sharing thoughts.
God bless and have a nice day,too.
Email: nazem956@yahoo.com
I've been trying to figure out where you & Nazem got "Gadsden" from this column? Or, was it just from a previous disclosure that I just don't remember?
And thank the Lord for your daughter's ongoing recovery!
Bruce- from paid tribute to ole English teachers at Gadsden College!
God bless you 🙌
Yes, here’s one retired teacher who reads your column every day. I love your writing. I’m very proud of you! Keep up the good work.
There was an absolute parade of dear ladies, commencing with my sixth grade teacher (‘54-‘55) who passed before my mind’s eye after reading this. Yes, a couple of them specifically taught English, but all of them, and a few of their male counterparts, contributed to my lifelong love of reading, writing, and just wanting to know more. Oh, they all frequently wore tweed! Thanks for stirring the memory pot, Sean. ❤️
My son is an English teacher and writer. I am so proud of him. Like you, he has taught me so much!❤️🙏
My inspiration was Sister Celine, my English teacher and the adviser of the school newspaper.
She encouraged me to write, and she published my work.
I majored in English in college, then taught high school for eight years.
Life got in the way, and a move halfway across the country forced me to give up my tenured position.
But nothing could quell my thirst for writing, and I soon found a second career in journalism. Thank you, Sister Celine!
Nuns by nature are Super Heroes in English!! Their red/white/ blue Wonder Woman capes are hiding underneath their black and white habits 🖤❤️💙🤍
...Thank Textile Chemistry for Lycra/Spandex, the material from which those Wonder Woman capes are made! I have a circle of women friends from all walks of life who sport them under a wide variety of wardrobes...(and if Sister Maureen Francis of St. Patrick's couldn't get you on the right path, NOBODY could!)
Ditto for St. Mary’s Dominicans Sr. Mary Robert, Sr. Mary Adrian, Sr. Mary Enos, and even Sr. Mary Terentia, whose nickname was…think spider🕷️
I must say, they were ALL deeply loved, and highly respected 🖤💕🤍
I know! People always came to me at work to ask questions on grammar.
Those nuns excelled in grammar and made sure we students did as well.
Just look out Fer dem rulers!
PEB
And the blackboard erasers! Those nuns could hurl them with precision.
Ha
Yep, and with their strong biceps (aka “pipes” or “guns”), they could really throw some HEAT!!
Yes! My brother-in-law's school had a "Dean of Discipline," and he used one regularly!
Ouch! They were wooden, and they broke in two when they came in contact with one’s knuckles.
"Tan yor hide" and splinter patrol!
Pu
Not surprising Sy Anne...
Pu
I am forever indebted, as all of us are, to the teachers who dedicated themselves to helping us become what we were created to be. After 75 years I still remember several of them. One, Mrs Guthrie, was my 4th grade teacher for whom I held a serious “crush.” On several occasions she would say, “ Mr Kimbrough , would you please get your voiced down out of the chandeliers?” Another word of advice shared specifically with me was, “ Mr Kimbrough, an empty wagon rattles.” What I remember most however, was her perfumes. When she walked down the halls she left a trail on fragrance behind. I also thought she was beautiful. The fourth grade was one of my better years.
Sweet story GK!
PEB
I love this. Three of my kids are teachers (special ed., high school math, theology) and I am so proud of them. I'm almost sure they each had at least one teacher like your English professor. (I did--they're why I write, too.) We should all remember to be grateful to them.
Many, if not most, if not all for that matter, who actually shape us and form us into whatever we are, good or bad, never know their impact. Such is life.
So true Elgin!
Pu
It takes a very very special person to teach and this little woman was very so much special and thanks to her for teaching you we get to read your many wonderful stories and amazing heartfelt words my dear friend may she rest in peace 🙏
After 23 years at the same school, I recently retired from teaching General Music to 3 year olds to 5th graders. I truly loved my job! I can only hope I left a positive lasting impact on my students. That, and creating a love of music within my students, was always my goal. I appreciate the tribute to your teacher.❤️
Being a 5th grader in Miss Valera McInnis's class is why I became a teacher, and 5th grade was my favorite grade to teach!