Note from Art: Every year I write a “Back to School” piece to celebrate what I believe is one of the great milestones of the year. While your teenagers might beg to disagree, in reality, most are bored by summer vacation and ready to get back to friends, football games and yes, even classes. It’s a fresh start filled with endless possibilities for learning and growth. This year we’re back to school with both sons at college, and I continue living vicariously in education by serving as an adjunct professor starting in a few weeks. I love fall!
My “Back to School” theme this year is one of giving thanks to that special educator that made a difference in your life.
Have you Thanked the Teachers That Made a Difference?
By a show of hands, how many of you have gone back and thanked that one teacher that had such a profound impact on you that he or she may have helped set you on course for your life and career?
Hmmmm, I didn’t think so.
I bet you’ve thought about it, like I have, but haven’t taken that extra step. After all, teachers are timeless, aren’t they? Certainly, they are locked in our minds as they were when we were younger. As nice as that sounds, we all know that they grow older like the rest of us and retire to give way to the next generation of educators.
With school starting back up in most parts of the country during the next few weeks, now would be a good time to reach out to that teacher from 20 or 30 years ago and let them know that they made a difference. Catch them before they move off into retirement. I believe my former favorite teach just recently retired, and now I’m stuck trying to look him up, when I had almost 30 years to drop him a note at school. Talk about procrastination!
I have no doubt that your expression of appreciation will be well received. Since few teachers that I’ve ever met are in it for the money, the knowledge that he or she made a difference will help reinforce their own earlier decision to dedicate a lifetime to serving as an educator.
Don’t Procrastinate, Thank Someone Now!
Another way to offer thanks is to provide a shout-out to the teacher here on the blog. I’ll start things rolling and hope to entice a few of you into sharing your “inspiring teacher” stories here.
My special thanks goes to Mr. Dennis McSherry of John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights, IL. Mr. McSherry was the Speech Teacher, and is the person responsible for helping me understand how important it is to work hard at becoming an effective communicator. He taught the Introduction to Speech course as well as Argumentation (something I was naturally suited for), as well as courses in Broadcasting. Additionally, he ran the Debate team.
He convinced me to join the Debate team when it was considered less than cool by the cliques that determined what was or was not cool, and I had a blast and learned a lot about myself in the process. Since I’ve never really been cool anyways, I guess I fit in. Ironically, way back in 1978, the subject was something like, “Resolved, a system of national health care funded by taxpayers and administered by the government is critical to the health of our country.” While I’m sure those were not the exact words, it was something pretty close. I worked the negative side of that debate. It’s a bit disturbing that it is still THE subject of debate here in our country.
I recall that Mr. McSherry was passionate about all things “speech” and he helped take the fear out of the activity by relating to the students and making us comfortable with the processes and approaches of effective speakers. To this day, I carry those lessons with me every time I speak on stage, in the classroom or am working and talking with one of my teams.
Thanks Mr. McSherry!
The Bottom Line:
Teachers are the early leaders in our lives. Like the bosses we work for, some relationships are just passing acquaintanceship and the lessons of others are with us for a lifetime. Treasure those leaders and teachers that make the difference and offer up that one overdue note of thanks. You’ll make someone’s day.
Great suggestion, Art. I know because I did this about five years ago. It was a wonderful experience, but I second the advice not to wait. Several of the teachers I wanted to thank had already died. If I had started sooner, I could have thanked. Them.
Mr.Millard encouraged me to step up to leadership at a time when I was extremely self-conscious (junior high). And he helped me to learn a lot about myself in the bargain.
We were heading into high school, the last couple of months of our junior high school years. Students were getting petitions signed to run for sophomore class officer positions at the high school in town. Mr.Millard encouraged me to run. I’d told him of my fear of embarassment of running and not winning the election.
Every time he saw me in the hall after that, he’d call out “Chicken!”. Some might see this as taunting or hurtful, but he had an easy and fun way about him, and I viewed it as a challenge.
I ran. I won. It was a huge personal victory in many ways – most importantly, I gained confidence that I lacked, and started high school with a aplomb. Those three years became some of my best and most memorable due to the encouragement of that teacher.
Thanks for the inspiration Art. I’m going to try to track down Mr. Millard.
Wally, a good reminder on why “now” is the time to reach out.
Mary Jo, thanks for sharing your great story! I wish you good luck in finding Mr. Millard. -Art
Love this advice Art. But I would say not just teachers. ANYONE that has had a profound impact on your life, find them and thank them. I started doing this a few years ago. There are a few people that as I look in my rear view mirror really influenced or altered the trajectory of my life. They were the shoulder I leaned on when falling down and falling off would have been as easy as moving forward.
Oddly enough, the few I have done this with thought I was kind of nuts, or dying, or both. They never knew that they did had such a big effect on me. And we are just not used to having people say things like that to us.
Great stuff, Art!
Bret, you are absolutely right. Teacher, leader, friend or otherwise. I’ve noticed a similar “surprised” reaction in the past. My own personal theory is that those that provide that support/leadership do it without actually expecting or needing the spoken gratitude. It may not cross their minds. Regardless of the “awkwardness,” I’m willing to bet that the thank-you drives an internal smile.
Thanks as always for your thoughts, Bret! -Art
We shouldn’t forget that we are standing on the shoulders of giants. This is great advice and something sorely lacking in today’s high-paced society.
I agree that there will be internal smiles. In fact, getting a word like that from someone should easily qualify for a spot on your ‘most significant awards’ list.