A Most Memorable Teacher

I will be straight and honest, taking care of someone has its difficult times, and this weekend was one of them.  I was so relieved to wake up this morning and find out early on that today was going to be a great improvement.  I was looking through some old notes my friends and others wrote to me a long time ago.  Even though their messages were written to me while I was still growing, I found some of their statements to still be valid ones for me now.  Others made me smile as I remembered what they were referring to, and I needed those smiles.  I made a selection of some that I might be talking about a little bit on here, just so you can see my perspective on what was said in those things.  The first one I have shared in a post some time ago titled, "Writing: How It All Began."  I posted a note from a teacher I had who had a great influence on me.  I am sharing it again here, but with script for anyone who didn't learn how to read cursive.

"Becky Boo!

What writing ability! You have so 

much creativity.  Use that imagination forever.  Don't 

ever let anyone discourage 

you and always believe in yourself. I 

think the world of you!  Come and see 

me.

Love you lots,

Mrs. Davis"

This note was written by my ninth grade English teacher, Mrs. Davis in my yearbook (thus explaining the little note about band underneath).  Unfortunately, she was ill often while I was in her class, but it was the best when she was there.  She was cheerful despite her health issues and I don't think she ever lost her temper with the class.  She may have perhaps had to be a little stern once or twice, but never angry.  I remember her smiling and laughing with the class than the other way around.

There were times when she had us work on projects in our class that I don't think I had in any other English class.  I don't remember the details on all of them, but I remember one when we had to team up with a classmate to write a story.  I remember with my partner, we made the agreement that I would come up with the ideas and she would write the final draft.  One other assignment we had to present a book character in front of the class.  One boy dressed up as his character.  I didn't play the character in front of the class, but I recorded a mock interview with Anne of Green Gables (me playing interviewer as well as character) and played it for the class.  She didn't mind it, because she encouraged us to be creative in our projects.

It is strange to me that it never came across to me before I met Mrs. Davis that I was good at writing.  When she sat down with my mom and I to plan the next year's schedule she told us that she wanted me in Honors English specifically with the hopes to develop the skill.  I've had wonderful teachers, but this was the only one who specifically took that much of an interest in my abilities.  This note is a wonderful reminder to me every time I see it of someone who took an extra effort to encourage me, especially when I was about to enter some of the most challenging years in my teenage life.

No, Mrs. Davis, I haven't let them discourage me.  It's all still going strong.