Teachers

My heart is once again full of thankfulness for teachers.  I guess in many ways, we are all teachers, but today I'm thankful for the trained, talented teachers who have blessed my life and the life of my kids.  Here are a few specifics:

1. Today, I went in to play for the 10th grade choir, and I spoke with their director, Mr. Drafall for a few minutes afterwards.  He was holding a piece of music in his hand (Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind) that Ethan had sung with the choir in Carnegie Hall back in 2008.  We reminisced about the choir, singing atop the Empire State Building amid the cold and wind.  He said it was those moments that made him love working with kids.  Yes, their voices were in jeopardy for their performance the next day.  Yes, it was cold and miserable and all adults would have called the visit a wash.  What Mr. Drafall won't give credit to is himself.  Because he had taught those kids to sing, and had engendered in them a love of the music, they spontaneously broke out in song in an apropos moment and created a memory.  That's the impact a teacher can have.
2. I had an amazing piano teacher when I lived in Lubbock.  His name was Mr. Murphy, and I can remember his studio, and our lessons, like they were yesterday.  He was the one who pushed me and challenged me to be more than just an automaton, and showed me that I could be a pianist, and not just a person who plays the piano.  I grew more as a musician in the two years of working with him than I did anywhere else.  He taught me the skill of playing musically, and I am forever indebted to him.
3. I'm thankful for Glo's violin teacher.  Glo came out of her lesson yesterday and said, "I LOVE AMY!" and she mirrored the feeling that I have.  Like Mr. Murphy, Amy is more than just a teacher who teaches the notes.  She not only teaches music, but she teaches perseverance, and discipline, and so many other qualities that will be important for Glo in life.  She expects a lot from Glo, but has a way of doing it with a smile and Glo loves her for that.  People think we are crazy, driving to Philadelphia for lessons, but I firmly believe that it is all worth it--Amy is enriching Glo's life!
4. I'm thankful for all of the school teachers who have taught my children math, science and reading.  Yes, there are certain parts of these subjects that I could have taught them, but you, as a whole, taught them so much more.  I'm a firm believer that it takes a village to raise a child, and I'm thankful for the fellow "villagers" in our various school systems.  When Glo hears the "caw" of a bluejay, I realize that she only recognizes it because she was asked to do a report on bluejays in 5th grade.  When I see Hannah reading poetry of her own volition, I'm thankful for the English teachers who saw value in those words and helped her love them too.
5. I'm thankful for the people who have gone above and beyond with my kids.  The people who treat them as equals and who want to see them succeed.  Kids listen to parents because they must, but they frequently listen to others because they want to.  When I think of Kale Sanderson (the PSU wrestling coach and Olympic gold medalist) who taught Mark the significance of confidence, I realize that his words came from experience, and the lessons Kale learned strengthened my son.  What a blessing!
6. I'm thankful for my husband, John.  Yes, he is a teacher.  He has taught our family so many things through the years by being an active part of our lives.  Not only has he taught the boys how to change the brakes, and helped the girls with their science homework and projects, he has taught me how to overcome my weaknesses through his example.  He is a firm believer that if one doesn't have a natural ability to do something, work harder to be just as good.  We have rolled our eyes during his lectures and have balked at his suggestions, but in the end, he's always right.  If only we would learn!
7. I'm thankful for great Sunday School teachers.  I know this sounds like a minor point of gratitude, but some of the best gospel lessons I have learned have been in Sunday School.  When I think back to the likes of Dave Carlson, or Steve Peine, I realize that I sat in the presence of greatness.  Those men were able to lead the thoughts of the class by asking simple questions.  In other words, they allowed us to teach ourselves.  When I now prepare my own Sunday School lessons, I try to channel their way of teaching.

I'm sure teaching has some cold definition about passing along information to another person.  I think real teaching though is a gift where others' lives are changed for the better.