It's Mothers day, so I must do a shout out to my mom and all the phenomenal mom's I know and those I don't. One day a year to celebrate Motherhood, is way too little.
But I wanted to write about teacher. Actually, I have never taken a class with three of my all time favorite teachers, although I have definitely learned the most from them. There are my mom, my sister and my brother.
My mom was an English teacher. I thank her for making me somewhat of a grammar geek/snob. I also credit her for my love of books and reading. Did you know that parents owning books-more than being read to or being provided with their own books- is highly correlated to their kids becoming readers and book lovers themselves. We always had books around, and memories of my mom frequently include seeing her with a book.
I take back that I never had her as an actual teacher because I am pretty sure she was a substitute in one or two of my classes. Although she knew how to teach, her real strength as a substitute was being able to manage unruly kids. Once she was warned that the class she was subbing for had locked a previous sub in a closet. Her first words to the class were "I heard you locked your teacher in the closet yesterday. There will be none of that happening today. " I am sure that she struck terror into the most harden delinquent in the class!
Another teaching gig that I know she aced, was being a Sunday school teacher. This easily could have become repetitive and boring, and I am sure that quite a few Sunday school teacher see an opportunity to preach dogma to bored teenager, or complete Biblically based worksheet with rowdy 10 year olds. But my mom really liked teenagers. She liked challenging them to think about their belief and memes in new ways. She liked lively discussions and sometimes, even got into trouble for bringing up controversial topics or using edgy materials. Maybe it seems as if teaching Sunday School is a not real teaching, but I guarantee that she changed more minds and influence actions just as much as anybody teaching algebra in a High School.
My brother is a High School Band teacher. He and his wife, who is in charge of the drum line and color guard, have taken the band program in their small town, into the national spotlight with their amazing marching shows, Here is a link to one of their brilliant performances
https://youtu.be/uDMnAWdVlEo
Even though his prowess as a teacher and his ability to visualize and create amazing performances is a strong suit, he is even more amazing at how he interacts with students. Just as my mom made kids be respectful and made them think, Paul holds his kids to high standard, He believes in them and motivates them to be their best selves. He never questions their ability or willingness to make things happen. I have seen him in action. He is stern and demanding without ever losing his respect or love for those kids. and they respect and love him right back.
My sister never really wanted to be a teacher. She is an actor from birth and by training. When we were kids, she and I used to put on shows for our mom and dad and anyone else who may have been around. Most of our show consisted of lip syncing to sound track albums from Disney movies. I always thought it was so nice of Beth to let me be the lead character. In days long before every girl wanted to be one of the Disney Princesses, I was being Aurora and Snow White and Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. Poor Beth was relegated to being all the other characters. What I didn't realize at the time, was that , by making me be the one note hapless heroines, she got to dance around as Cinderella"s animal friends, cast spells as the fairy godmother, drink tea with the mad hatter, look into the magic mirror as Snow White's step-mother, and the turn around and be the magic mirror itself! She was a pint-sized one woman show!
After years of being a working actor, she succumbed to her desire to have a steady paycheck and took a teaching position at a performing arts high school in New Jersey. Just as my mom and brother have inspired and shaped their students, my sister is creating a classroom full of thoughtful and sensitive aspiring actors. While many of them do go on to use their skills in the field, she is really giving them the tools they need to be thoughtful and expansive human beings, by challenging their believe about themselves and the world. Here is a like to a video of her students, nominating her for a Tony award to acting teachers.
https://youtu.be/bp0Cfi10O8g
By the way, my very busy sister also operates her own outstanding school for actors. Here isa link to her school's website www.njactors.org
I am fortunate to have these amazing teachers in my life. I do feel a tiny bit inadequate to two such decorated and well-loved teachers. Teachers and actors love to give out awards for excellence. Therapists aren't even able to tell anybody about any of their work, let alone make a video of their best sessions! I'm definitely in the wrong feild if I'm looking for accolades, butthe rel unsung heroes are Moms who could never be singled out as Mother of the Year, because they are all the best mom's in the world.!
Here's to my own best mom! I love you!
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