Erin has a story to share . . .
When we were kids, my mom used to tell us the story of the goldfish bowl. Filled with the most beautiful stones—-smooth and round and shiny in the sun—the goldfish bowl became one of my mother’s favorite things about kindergarten. But one of her teacher’s rules was that the children must never touch the goldfish bowl or the stones inside it. My mother was bursting to be the best student she could be. Mrs. Ingalls’ classroom was a place where she felt herself waking up and becoming someone new. She really wanted to listen to all the rules. Sometimes curious little girls forget.
One day, my mother stood transfixed by the goldfish bowl as the afternoon light spilled through the window. Her little hand went over the edge and felt the smooth, round stones inside. Mrs. Ingalls saw what was happening from across the room and gently reminded my mother of the rule. Embarrassed to be caught with her hand in the goldfish bowl, my mother jerked her hand out too quickly and the bowl broke. The ensuing mess was more proof of her shame and failure, but Mrs. Ingalls was kind. She didn’t yell or make my mother an example to rest of the class. Mrs. Ingalls did however hold my mother accountable. “Peggy, you need to fix this. I know you can do it. I believe in you.”
My mother grew up poor in Baltimore City. My grandmother was not nearly so kind or forgiving or patient when my mother told the story of what she had done and what she still needed to do. They found the money to buy a new goldfish bowl somehow and my mother remembers to this day the long walk to Woolworth’s with her mother. She remembers even better taking the new goldfish bowl to Mrs. Ingalls.
“Thank you, Peggy. I knew you could do it.”
“The Goldfish Bowl” became one of our family stories because that was the moment my mother decided to become a kindergarten teacher. That very day, my little five year old mother decided her life plan: to teach young children and be like Mrs. Ingalls. My mother followed that plan for over 25 years even after taking a break to be home with us for awhile.
Now she’s filing her lesson plans, clapping her erasers, turning out the lights, and closing the door behind her. My mother is moving on to the next chapter of her life; one that will be populated with time at her beloved shore house, time with those she loves, and, of course, time with young children. Because teachers never really stop teaching.
She just can’t help herself. These notes are posted everywhere in the shore house. And we love that the eating instructions are in the bathroom. Sort of Circle of Life-ish in a digestion sort of way.
So Mrs. Ingalls, thank you for inspiring my mother to be her very best self from the beginning. My mother is such a gift of warmth and humor and generosity not just to her own children but to the countless young minds she touched over her long, successful career.
Thank you for showing my mother that teaching is an art and not just a science. In a world gone common core, we sometimes forget how important the teacher as a person is to the successful student equation.
Thank you for being an old school teacher who expected great things from even your youngest students. One of the things that people always say about my mother’s teaching is that they can tell her class by the way they walk down the hall. Even the smallest moments are opportunities to shine and my mother learned that from you.
Lastly, Mrs. Ingalls, thank you for showing us all that teachers are so much more than their lesson plans. As a teacher myself now, it has made all the difference.
And now you can thank your teacher for making a difference in your life. First, watch the following video.
Then enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $50 AMEX card for yourself and a $100 Staples gift card for your favorite teacher. There’s honestly no better way to honor a special teacher during Teacher Appreciation Week than to tell them what makes them so special.
Just leave a blog comment briefly telling us about your favorite teacher and why.
We all have a goldfish bowl story to tell, let’s hear yours!
#ThankATeacher today.
(And thank YOU for all of your stories!)
-Erin and Ellen
This post is sponsored by Kronos Incorporated. You can thank them for the chance to win the fabulous gift cards. Obviously, all opinions and love/admiration/adoration for teachers is all our own.
You can follow us on Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
Check out our books, “I Just Want to Be Alone” and “You Have Lipstick on Your Teeth.”
Have every post delivered to your inbox! You can opt out at any time, but you won’t want to.
My kids are blessed to have amazing teachers, but I have to give special attention to Mrs. Horsch who not only shows them what it means to be an educator but shows them through example how to truly care for others. So much so she has inspired my oldest to become a teacher herself!
Tara YKIHAYHT recently posted..I Forget
Is it weird that this post brought up fond memories… of the Woolworth pet department?
Jenn @ Something Clever 2.0 recently posted..The Legend of Croakley J. Ribbits
I teach next to my mentor teacher, whom I did internships in her classroom 30 years ago! Vicki McDivit is still inspiring first graders; she takes around their writing efforts to share with other teachers–always in awe of the first graders’ writing abilities. We all know it is her love of teaching and encouraging writing that brings out the best in her students. Vicki still has a passion for teaching and looks forward to each teaching day. She is one of the most positive people I know!
My high school history teacher (junior year) was my favorite. He was tough and he used to make us read the New York Times and have quizzes on them every week.
My favorite teacher was named Mrs. Beams in middle school. She always went above and beyond for her students and always offered extra after school help. She was really dedicated to her teaching.
My daughter’s kindergarten teacher because she was always upbeat and positive.
My favorite teacher was Mrs. White, my literature teach whole taught me to love and enjoy reading.
my first grade teacher mrs. chrysler. She was so sweet and nice and made me excited to learn. She was also very helpful!
My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher Mrs Saltmarsh because she was tough but she pushed me to do well.
Ms. Sutton was my favorite teacher because she made learning fun and was so helpful to me and my classmates.
My 8th grade math teacher was my favorite because she helped me get ready for high school.
My favorite was my first grade teacher because she was very nice and patient
My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Kennedy. She instilled in me a love for the written word.
my math teacher was always there for me and helped me all the time even though i sucked at math!
courtney b recently posted..Summer Church Outfit under $50
My favorite teacher was my college Marketing professor, because he inspired me to make that my career!
My favorite teacher was Mr. Popeck. He really loved to teach Latin.
My favorite was my 7th grade math teacher b/c she always tried to make learnng fun.
My favorite teacher was my social studies teacher in 10th grade named Mrs. Hunt, she helped develop and encourage my love of history and english and gave me such a glowing reference even my very first job in high school.
My fave teacher was my 4th grade teacher Ms. Janna Jones – she really cared about all the students and was very genuine. She loved her job and it reflected daily!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Wheeler. I actually had her for both 3rd and 5th grade, which was great! She really made learning fun, and loved to bring history to life.
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Morris, my 4th grade teacher. She taught us to make “stone soup” and how to actually BE friends with one another. I’ll never forget her or the lessons she taught.
MrsTDJ recently posted..Daydreaming of Him
My favorite teacher was Mr. McAllister. He had a wonderful sense of humor, but knew how to get down to business too. I enjoyed going to school everyday, because he made it so much fun. jj250@aol.com
My favorite teacher was my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Spurlock. She really helped me gain confidence in math which I really struggled in. Thanks for the chance!
My favorite teacher was my 3rd grade teacher.She taught me more than just a math lesson, she helped me overcome my insecurities and have more confidence in myself.
my ap history teacher in highschool was an awesome teacher who instilled a love of history and was a great example to me of work ethic. Thank you for the giveaway
*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
My Favorite Teacher Was My 5th Grade Teacher Mrs, Lord, She Had A ” Random Act’s Of Kindness” Board, That Inspired My Classmates And I To Be Kind And Help Others, She Was A Great Teacher!
My favorite teacher was a math teacher in high school. He knew a lot of us had a hard time with math, so he started each class with a joke to lighten up the atmosphere before getting to work. He also reiterated that he was there for us to ask questions or go over any work we may need until we understood it.
Tammy Woodall recently posted..Rate Your Role Modeling
My favorite teacher was my 6th grade religion teacher Mr.Scott. He was truly awesome and was in a dark place before he was saved. I think it goes to show no matter how far you’re down, you can always get back up. He was hilarious and covered in tattoos and he’s my favorite teacher thus far.
My 9th grade Science teacher. She was always so sweet and really cared about me as a student and person during some hard times!
Laura recently posted..How To Start a Blog
Wow that was a long time ago but I was in 10th grade and she was our computer teacher where she would teach us how to type and all that good stuff…I Hated her lol to start off with always seemed so mean then one day before our big end of the year test the ones you have to pass to go on and mine was math I was really bad at it and she basically told me she didnt expect me to be able to pass it so I thought I will show her and I not only passed i got one of the best grades. She called me in and told me she did believe in me she just knew i had to be pushed and she became my favorite. She passed away a few yrs later but I have never forgot what she did for me.
My favorite teacher was probably Ms. Bunt, 4th grade English. That’s when we learned about poetry, song lyrics, and cursive writing. She opened up a whole new world for me, and she didn’t talk down to us. She was a brilliant lady, with a great big heart and smile to match. I love poetry because of her.
Mr. C, my fifth grade teacher, way back when was funny and made learning so much fun!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Miller, she was a nurse who taught Health Education in high school. She also mentored a group of us who volunteered at the hospital. She was a fun teacher that helped me decide that I was really good in social work, helping others. She taught me the importance of giving back. 🙂
My 2nd grade teacher was my favorite. She helped me by being caring, compassionate and patient.
My high school science teacher Mrs. Thomas because she made learning fun!
My favorite teacher was Ana Cyr who was my fifth grade teacher. She was very strict but taught her students a good work ethic which carried over into many of the students’ adult lives. She was the best.
I loved my Kindergarten teacher.She was my First Friend at school 🙂 I was a very shy little girl who had a hard time talking to others but Miss Dinora helped me open up.
My 8th grade science teacher she made learning fun!!
My 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Edmister, was my favorite. She was so kind and patient with me. She instilled in me a love for reading.
My Art Professor Mr. Miller, he was such an inspiring teacher and taught us to all be creative
shana vaughn recently posted..Cents and Savings: Free Sample Biolage!
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Waters, my 4-6th grade social studies teacher. She taught me how to live up to my potential, a skill I’m still perfecting to this day.
Here’s a post I wrote a few years ago about my favorite childhood teachers and why I loved them:
http://marie-everydaymiracle.blogspot.com/2011/04/in-praise-of-teachers-part-2.html
“Granny” Atkins from North Harford High School! She is the ONLY reason I passed English Comp my first semester of college.
Mrs. Perdue she was always sweet, caring and understanding! She is/was the best teacher ever.