Teachers! Teachers! Teachers!

Guess my fishing stories and pictures didn't impress you so much, so I'll try writing about other things to keep your interest. I was out to dinner with the family when I was home last weekend and saw my first grade teacher. My parents thought that I should go talk to her, but I didn't because she was with a bunch of other people, and being a teacher myself, I know how it is when you go out in public - it's hard to get away from your students, so I just left her be. Anyway that's not the point of this article so I'll move on. I mentioned to my cousin (sorry to pick on you Kim) that I had bumped into an old teacher, and she said she doesn't remember any of her elementary teachers - possibly because she filtered all that useless information out of her brain to make room for more important info. That kind of surprised me, but I didn't think to much about it, until I read a blog from another relative that said she didn't remember her elementary teachers either. I was like - whoa 2 people in 1 week say that!! WHAT! Were my teachers just that amazing that they created such an impact on my life - or am I still too young to understand the true meaning of forgetfulness?! So what I would like to do is for my own sake write down all of my most memorable teachers and tell you a bit about them. Do I expect you to care?? No, not really - I guess the purpose is for me to write it down somewhere that I can go back to in 30 years and remember those people who did such a fabulous job teaching.

Kindergarten: Mrs. Pagel - I remember learning how to tell time with her. She had a huge clock that she made and she would constantly move the hands around and try to get us to tell time - I still know how to tell time. Thank you for that - (I now get mad at my 8th graders that can't read anything but digital). I also remember getting to play house in the fancy play kitchen in her classroom.

1st Grade: Mrs. Cutkomb - I remember learning to count by two's and being so proud because I was one of the best counter's (by twos) in my class. I remember losing my first tooth that year, and there was approx 20 huge laminated teeth with our names printed on them on the wall where she wrote down all the dates that we lost our teeth that year.

2nd Grade: Ms. Brink - I remember her huge hugs and kisses during the school day and at the end of the day! (I think she liked me because we both had red hair)

3rd Grade: Mrs. Bach - I remember our huge unit on learning about France - we had a whole day that we pretended we visited PARIS (Paris Day) We had french food (crepes), talked in french, and even got a passport that I think I may still have. I learned fancy multiplication tricks from her too - like 8 - 8s fell on the floor, pick them up you got 64. And...6 and 8 went on a date - they came back with 48. She always made learning so much fun - and was such an inspiration to me wanting to teach. She had really good handwriting to - I long for that handwriting.

4th Grade: Mr. Corens - I remember him reading to us everyday after recess. He would sit on his stool in front of the class and read for 30 minutes!

5th Grade: Mr. Muras - can I say Decades project....that was huge and I'll never forget it. He was always so supportive of me - I remember one conference in particular and I don't remember what exactly was said - but it sticks out in my mind as him telling me that I was capable at doing ANYTHING that I wanted to do!

6th Grade: Mr. Bannock - well...I remember he made me cry once, when he made me read aloud in front of the whole class. Not exactly the best memory - but I'll never forget it.

Junior High Band: Mrs. Hawley - She taught me how to play the trumpet in 5th grade. She always gave me amazing opportunities like getting to go on the 9th grade band trip in 7th grade. (was I really that good, and did we really need all those trumpet players - no I don't really think so!! haha - but it was awesome!)

Junior High Gym: Mrs. VanTassel - She thought I was an amazing swimmer and softball player - and she always had a smile on her face and was always READY for anything!!

High School Band: Mr. Bell - He instilled a sense of pride in all of us music folk at HHS. He let me sit in front of two trumpet players that were way better than me - only cause I could play a high C on a tape recording that I could keep re-recording over and over again. YAY for ME!!

College: Dr. Pugh - He ALWAYS believed in me - even when I didn't believe in myself.

College: Del - he had to listen to me play some nasty sounding trumpet stuff every single week and yet he still talks to me - haha. He gave me the the knowledge, skills, techniques, and experiences to become a great trumpet player and musician! And he taught me the importance of maintaining healthy connections with all the people that may cross my path in life.

Here goes a silent Thank you to all the teachers that have impacted my life! I hope and pray that I will never forget any of you or the things that you have taught me!

(Sincerely sorry Kim if I picked on you too much! Love ya!)