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I've mentioned before how lately I've become a bit of a documentary buff. I recently saw a documentary called "American Teachers" and it basically breaks down the American Education system and it's teachers. I don't really want to go into details about how underpaid and under appreciated American teachers are because you all know that. However this documentary sparked a conversation between my husband and I about our favorite teachers of all time.

For me, it's hard to pick just one because I have been truly blessed in my life with wonderful teachers (and several horrible ones). So I thought I'd chose the 2 that really made a difference and impact in my life.

High school was full of great and terrible teachers. It was hard to pick a teacher from high school that was my favorite because there are several I could choose. That being said I had Mr. Stoebe for all 4 years teaching leadership/student government/ASB. My entire life I was a shy person and not so much a leader in any aspects of my life. That was until freshman year when this man taught me the importance of leadership and helping people find their path. I gained so much self confidence, leadership skills and friendships through this class and his teachings. He taught me how to be who I am without apologizing for it, stand up for what I believe in but also be sensitive to others. I still quote him today on the top of my blog "It's the decisions you make not the conditions you're in that determine your destiny." He was without a doubt one of the most inspirational people in my life and helped shaped me into the person I am today.

College was the first time I "researched" my teachers through a website where fellow students could rate that professor on intelligence, difficulty, personality and exams. Shelly Wynants was one of my first professors in my field, child and adolescent development. Her ratings were not too popular but not too bad either. She was difficult but informative. Learning from my mother never to shy away from a challenge I took her class. I am so glad I did because never have I ever learned so much about children. She taught several classes and I took every single one of them. Shelly was so personable, interesting, knowledgeable, passionate and inspiring. Yes, she was a difficult grader but her expectations for her students what was pushed me to be a better one. After seeing me semester after semester we became close in a sense where I wasn't just another passer by in one of her classes. One time I worked for months on my final project for her class and the day before it was due my husband accidentally deleted the 15+ page essay. I immediately started panicking because there was no way I could re-write the entire essay in a few hours. I called her and she immediately calmed me down and said I could have an extension of 1 week without it hurting my grade. To my dismay I had it ready the following day for class after an all nighter. I wanted to impress her and show her my commitment to her class like she had for her students. She didn't want to fail me, so I pushed myself to write it again and ready for class the next day.

Something I realized all these teachers have in common is their passion for their students and their ability to push me to become a better person. So much of a teacher's job is much more than just teaching. They are counselors, friends, parents, role models and much much more. I wouldn't be where I am today without the wonderful teachers I had throughout my life. I appreciate all of my past teachers because even if they weren't the best of the bunch they were still there to help me grow.
EMM