17 January Introduction

My Educational Hero

    When my mother was in her 50's, she went back to Universtiy to finish her degree and become a teacher.  She became a elementary education teacher.  She taught 5th and 6th grade.  She did not need the job or the money.  She went back to make a difference.  She was only able to teach for 10 years before getting cancer and dying.  When we had the funeral, the church was full of students and parents who came with stories of how my mother made a difference.  Her favorite students were struggling students.  Her goal was to make a difference.  

    She would have the whole family helping her to prepare the extra effort items to ensure successs.  Many a night I would have to go with her and leave underwear, backpacks or a certain toy on the porch for one of her students and then run.  She saw a need of physical, mental, emotional help.  She would always give the students hugs like a grandma would and always said when you are fat, they never worry about child abuse.  She believed that hugs made the world a better place.

    Before cancer invaded her body, she was honored for her teaching methods by the State of Utah.  She never told any of us kids about her award.  She only told us when she saw success in one of her students.  We knew her students and followed their progress over the years.  I know that whereever she is she is still watching over them and the progress they made.   I want to be this kind of teacher.