Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Teachers

In the 5th grade, I wrote a play about Queen Elizabeth and Mary, Queen of Scots. My elementary school teacher believed in my writing ability enough to have my class act out this amateur attempt at historical drama. Inspired by Mrs. Boughton's faith in me, I continued writing.

At Lincoln High School, I was a shy, anxiety-ridden adolescent. Miss Moyes was my English teacher. She often called on me to read aloud in class -- a special hell for a wall flower who wanted only to go unnoticed. Miss Moyes gently bullied me into joining the school speech team. This organization promoted competitive speaking, or forensics, with meets throughout the Oregon region. The teenagers who participated in this mental blood sport generally wanted to be attorneys or CEOs, and the first time I spoke, I threw up in the bathroom afterward. But like a bolt from the blue, I found I had a talent for writing speeches, and this helped me come out of my shell and express myself. Frankly, I learned to kick some ass on the speech team.

Mrs. White was just as influential in her quiet, supportive way. I always felt safe in her class room. We were a tight little bunch of creative writers, and Mrs. W. was our protective mother hen.

A few years ago, I took a continuing education class from Sharon Jarvis. I had just finished my first women's fiction novel, and I had no idea what I was doing. Book writing was completely new to me. Under Sharon's tutelage, I learned that my story was completely wrong. I'm not kidding. If there was a mistake you could make, it was in there. I needed this instruction. Badly. It made me look at writing with new eyes and gain a fresh passion for the craft. Sharon Jarvis, you saved my bacon.

I owe each of these teachers a great debt. They helped me at the precise moment I needed help. I doubt these women will ever know the full ramifications of their kindness. God bless the dedicated teacher.




22 comments:

  1. This is a wonderful post, Roxy. What a difference great teachers can make in our lives.

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  2. Hi Roxy, Muttie remembers writing a play in her third year, aged 14, about Flannan Isle (three lighthouse keepers went missing)and the same thing happened! The rest of the class were forced to act it out. She remembers the rebel of the class saying out loud: "This is RUBBISH!" My Highley, her English teacher, was a God her, however. And it was enough that he believed in her and took her writing attempts seriously. She often wonders what became of him.

    Milt x

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  3. Oh soooo true! Teachers rock (or suck if they are terrible). They have so much influence on us as we grow and on those around us. I loved your stories! Thanks Roxy! =)

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  4. Great tribute to the positive impact of a supportive teacher. God Bless the generous hearts and hands of all our teachers!

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  5. I haven't had any writing teachers, but I've had a few excellent flute teachers that really pushed me to be what I am today.

    It's nice to hear about your teachers :)

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  6. Teachers deserve much more praise than they get. I wish I could tell some of my teachers from long ago how much they influenced my life. My 3rd grade teacher surprised me by submitting a poem I wrote to a childrens magazine and it got published. She believed in me. My Jr High and High School music teachers had the most influence over me - encouraging me to sing. I sent one of them my lullaby CD that I recorded in 2008. Here's cheers to all those who teach!

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  7. What a sweet post, Roxy. Teachers who have pushed us because they know we can do better are treasures. As a result of these people, you'll be published someday, and then give awesome book talks!

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  8. Just 2 hours ago, I was bemoaning to my dept. admin how it's teacher appreciation week in the kids' schools but not at the colleges. Where's the professor love???

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  9. Where would we be without teachers?? Great post!

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  10. Roxy--What a lovely tribute to your teachers! I hope that in my 17 years I affected one of my kiddos the way your teachers affected you. :)

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  11. Awwwww!!

    It's amazing isn't it how you will always remember the teachers who made a difference in your life? Wonderful!!

    Take care
    x

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  12. It's so important to recognize all the teachers who've helped us along the way. Great post!

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  13. What a great post! I hope those ladies are able to read this post and see how much you touched them! We can learn so much from so many people in our lives - it's awesome to be able to thank them :)

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  14. Isn't amazing how the people we need in our lives just materialize?

    Loved this post!

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  15. This is such a wonderful post! I'm glad you've had these awesome teachers in your life to guide you. I'm very thankful for mine as well. The differences they make...

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  16. Behind every writer there's a teacher who inspired her/him. Mine was Professor Kranes. He taught literature at the university. He made me realize I could see my dream come true.

    Great post!

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  17. My 5th grade teacher, Janice Ritts, was my very first writing cheerleader. She told me I was a writer. I believed her. Three years later, she showed my sister's 5th grade class pieces of my writing as examples in some of their units. It was the biggest compliment I could have gotten - she wasn't just giving me lip service. She really believed in me. She is definitely where my belief in myself as a writer came from. :)

    Great post!

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  18. I wish I would have had someone to encourage me when I was younger. I did not. That's great to hear though.

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  19. Teachers have the hardest job yet are the most unappreciated. Thanks for this post that reminded me of my great teachers and how much they helped me in my life.

    Jai

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  20. GReat post as always. Teachers are the best. Their job is difficult (my mom's a teacher). You got me thinking of all the teachers who influenced me.
    Thanks!

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  21. Amen! These are beautiful examples and also tell us so much about you. Thanks for sharing!

    I've been lucky enough to have some great English teachers in my life too.

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  22. Oh! And I tagged you in a meme on my blog. :o)

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