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| Enon, West Virginia -- One Room School History is the Best Weapon for Change
by Betty Dotson-Lewis & Kathleen Colley Slusher, authors of the novel "The Girl From Stretchneck Holler, Inside Appalachia"
http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Dotson-Lewis/e/B007YMHFBE/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1
Because of Teachers – Because of Students
Like the rest of the world my mind is locked on Dec. 14, 2012,
Newtown, Conn. Every time I go for a
walk, get tired, pray, see a happy child, a child crying, a school bus, watch a
teacher’s eyes light up when her students learn a new word or understand long
division, or for no reason at all, my mind flashes back to the tragedy of 20
elementary students shot -- and the brave teachers and school staff who gave
their lives attempting to save the lives of their students. The stories of
heroic actions by teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary made me think of the impact
teachers have had in my life and the lives of other students I know.
I grew up in a coal-mining community on a one-lane road in the
remote mountains of rural West Virginia.
Our school and church were the center of our lives. Religious activities
took place in church; all other community activities were held at our school,
including club meetings, dances and voting. Teachers were the leaders of our
community.
I remember my first days of school. My mom helped me onto the big yellow
bus. The bus driver, Mr. O’Dell, was the
husband of my teacher, Mrs. O’Dell. He seated all of the little kids up front
so he could keep an eye on them. I was scared and nervous being away from my
mommy
for the first time. During the first weeks, I cried and each
time I cried my teacher, Mrs. O’Dell sat me on her lap and hugged me and told
me I would be just fine. She always made me feel better and soon I didn’t miss
my mommy so much. In the days and weeks
ahead Mrs. O’Dell became my mommy at school and my mommy and my teacher became
inner changeable. Soon I was calling Mrs. O’Dell “mommy” and calling “mommy”
Mrs. O’Dell. That is how important a teacher
became to me.
And the more time I reflect on the role teachers have had on
my life and the lives of others since this tragedy, the more I realize the
impact teachers have on our lives, our communities, and our world.
And so, I was not surprised by the stories of sacrifice and bravery at Sandy
Hook. Teachers and their students are truly family to each other; it is because
of each other that they stand hand-in-hand even in the face of the unspeakable.
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Because of Teachers
By Betty Dotson-Lewis
Because of Teachers: I went to college
Because of Teachers: I learned to read, write and love books
Because of Teachers: I learned to do math
Because of Teachers: I learned the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag of the United States and the importance of the Constitution
Because of Teachers: I became a member of Clubs like 4-H and
became a State Public Speaker Champion
Because of Teachers: I was involved in sports and made my body
strong
Because of Teachers: I had a ride to church
Because of Teachers: I learned French and German
Because of Teachers: I had a nutritious breakfast and lunch,
even in the summer
Because of Teachers: I received toys at Christmas
Because of Teachers: I had a warm jacket for winter
Because of Teachers: I got a hug when I needed it
Because of Teachers: I’m alive
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Because of Students
By Kathleen Colley Slusher
Because of students: I found a purpose in life
Because of students: I answer to "Teacher" morning,
noon and night
Because of students: I smile at eager faces when I'm tired at
the end of a long day AND bus duty
Because of students: I cry at their graduations and rejoice
when they come back to see me
Because of students: I stay young at heart
Because of students: I see myself through their eyes and I am stronger and better
Because of students: I strive to learn more so that I can
teach them more
Because of students: I remember myself at their age and I
relate to remembered dreams and aspirations
Because of students: I run to them when they fall and need
help getting up
Because of students: I found extra money in my pocket because one of you needed a cheerleading uniform
Because of students: I learned the meaning of blind faith
Because of students: I tell their stories and I learn from
them
Because of students: I willingly put my life on the line
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Facebook Friends Comments:
- Karen Butler Britt My daughter in law has taught elementary 4th grade for 23 years. She says her role of teacher is not being the students parent. She says they should learn their manners and religion at home. She stays busy trying to teach them what the state requires. There isn't time for anything else.
- Ellen Hickory Smith When life was hell at home, teachers comforted me. My English and History teacher bought me tickets to the prom. My Horticulture teacher loaned me a dress she had worn as a bridesmaid. They hugged me. They supported me. I knew they unconditionally loved and cared about me, and that made all of the difference in the world. I am sorry that kids can't get hugged in today's world of education.
Ed McMillion Teachers are
always telling us that we will use math every day of our lives. My wife and I
are currently moving and I came to a realization. Pickup truck loads of my
wife's self-bought teaching supplies roughly equate to her number of years of
teaching divided by 1.5. She has been teaching for 8 years. You do the math.
Okey Jackson When I started
teaching in the late 60s students were told not to question a teacher so in the
first two weeks of the semestser I would tell them something they knew was not
true just to get them to question me.
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Virginia Winebrenner
Sykes A teacher at Glade Creek Elementary let me take care of
her class for the afternoon when she went to a meeting of some type. I was an
eighth grader. Her trust in me set me on the path to become a teacher later in
life.
