Dear friends,
Over the years I have often thought fondly of my fifth grade teacher, Mr. Bill Vick. He was young and enthusiastic and also had a certain wisdom about him. He assigned us songs to learn and made us sing in front of the class. He seemed to know that some of us were so shy we could not have managed that on our own, so he paired us together. We had to do our book reports as mini-theatrical productions. We wrote a script, cast the roles, directed it and presented to the class. It was great fun. I was so shy I was almost mute in front of people but he saw something in me. He would often give me things to do that put me in front of the class, such as writing things on the blackboard or handing out papers. I was class president at one point.
I credit Mr. Vick with the start of a long road into public speaking, which I now love to do, and writing. It did not happen all at once, but he planted seeds. He seemed to say “this is your path.” I often wonder if he is still alive and where he is. I would like to thank him for pushing me into the spotlight when I would have preferred to hide in the shadows. Teachers can be influential in us long after we have left the class. In my class work to become a minister, it was Dr. Bill Little who was my guide. He evoked an awareness of our teaching I did not know I had. He challenged us to be real and to not parrot others. He assigned books that were not part of the proscribed classwork but were tremendously helpful in cracking open our hearts and minds. I have used those same books in my own teaching.
I guess the point today is how important those people are who bring to us their expertise and their desire to see us succeed. They can be tough on us but never unkind. I am grateful for the two Bills. I am grateful for all my teachers. You are probably one of them.
Stay tuned in,
Carol Carnes www.carol-carnes.com
