What qualities make a teacher extraordinary? It’s been three decades since I sat in Miss O’Connor’s freshman English class at Mater Dei High School, but I still remember her warm smile, how she played a song by The Police to help her students connect with The Odyssey, and, more importantly, how she took an interest in me and encouraged me to take honors English.
I’ve often thought of her over the years: when I decided to study English literature in college and when I became a high school English teacher. Of the many extraordinary teachers I’ve experienced and who have taught my children, I believe the underlying quality to their greatness is that they love what they do and they care.
With a passion for teaching and working with children, teachers can inspire their students to learn. Standards, learning objectives, and daily goals follow. And, in the end, students learn and remember a teacher in their life who cared about them.
As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, please take a moment to thank an unforgettable teacher who has affected your life or your child’s life!
Today, I thank Miss O’Connor – wherever she may be – for teaching with energy and passion, and for inspiring me to learn.
Your student, Theresa (Taugher) Wooler
Contributing Writer
Theresa Wooler has more than 10 years’ experience in K–6 classrooms as a parent volunteer, has taught high school English, and is currently involved in education through Evan-Moor’s marketing communications team.