A good teacher can change everything

It only takes one, but maybe you’ve had a couple.When I think back on my schooling experience, a few teachers come to mind that affected me in pivotal moments, teachers that were able to accept differences in their students and help them believe they could make a difference.I recently saw a blurb on social media of my grade 3 teacher, Mary Roebuck. At Fisher Elementary school in Lynden, Washington, Mrs. Roebuck taught me to sing Down by the Bay. She taught me to write in cursive. She introduced me to new genres of reading and sent me to the accelerated reader’s class, despite my anxiety over being with a different group. She never made a fuss about me leaving class for speech training to correct my lisp. And on the first day of school, she offered every student, at any time, a free hug. And I even I, a non-hugger, took her up on it.Jack Dicken, my Grade 6 teacher in White Rock, B.C., told me I had a gift for writing and had me read a Remembrance Day composition in front of the school with a poppy proudly pinned to my shirt. He also assured my sister she was a talented artist. In high school, Kathy Smith taught me to love the works of Charles Dickens. She devoured Great Expectations, despite having taught it for years. And Diana Carter introduced me to the world of Ethnic literature while Monsieur Paulus assured me I had the potential to embrace the French language.All 5 of my children had the same kindergarten teacher. Mrs. Moline managed each personality with grace and adaptability, claiming my most atypical child was “destined for greatness” after a particularly rough start to the year. Another teacher allowed my daughter to doodle for stress relief once her assignments were finished. That daughter is now headed to art school.Looking back, despite all the other ups and down of growing up, I can see how integral these people were to my life and in the lives of my children and am so grateful for their influence. Right through my graduate work, there were educators who were there to encourage and inspire.Which special teachers shaped your life?Lynden Spotlight: Mary Roebuck brings 40 years of Excellence. Photo/Article: Lynden School District.Full Article:http://www.lynden.wednet.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=1273&pageId=8022283