Thank you, . . . teacher

Dear Reader,

Monday night, I was sitting in grad. class, I am motivated this summer to graduate and receive my Masters degree because my oldest son will be a senior this year. Yes, I feel old and wonder where the time went. Also, I regret not having pursued my education dreams sooner in my life. The funny thing is and hate to admit, but I really am enjoying my graduate classes. Well back to my Monday night class, we are watching a video, yes a VHS :) about one of my favorite children's authors Patricia Polacco. She is amazing!!!

In the video, she shared a part of her life that touched me, she talked about feeling "dumb" in school because she did not see the words like her friends in school did. She felt that something was wrong with her, to the point that she was contemplating taking her own life. How horrible. She has made an incredible impact on so many young lives as she shares her stories with them. There is so much a child can learn when they experience one of her books. I shudder to think that she ever felt like that in school, and the measures that she must have had to undertake to hide her difficulties from her mother, who is a teacher and her other teachers who would pass her along. It was Mr. Falker that discovered her disability, and found a way that she could taste the sweet honey found in books.

When she came to the realization that it was not her fault that she could not read, and that she was not dumb; it was that she learned or saw things differently from others. It was a turning point, a place in her life that she found hope and wanted to continue to live. At 14 years old, she worked extremely hard to catch up with her peers, she did and continued in her education receiving a PhD. in art history. Amazing, how a teacher can change the course of a child's life, and the incredible works they leave behind. Inspiring.

I think about my own son, and the wonderful teachers he has had. It is they who have made a difference in him, and held my hand along the path. It is a difficult path to take, but these students are Genius's as Patricia Polacco puts it, and it is the teacher who makes the difference.

Be sure to check out Patricia Polacco book, "Thank You, Mr. Falker."

-Maria Creighton