tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post1594576035231668904..comments2023-10-11T03:49:53.934-04:00Comments on The Gold Puppy: Gratitude for My TeachersReya Mellickerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13076092659507965666noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-62397589910806474432009-03-28T04:58:00.000-04:002009-03-28T04:58:00.000-04:00what a shame - i'll miss her sermon titles!particu...what a shame - i'll miss her sermon titles!<BR/><BR/><BR/>particularly fine reflections in that top photo reya.lettucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872380339261609060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-27089181425651855832009-03-26T05:59:00.000-04:002009-03-26T05:59:00.000-04:00Reya,What a lovely post. I do think teaching is a...Reya,<BR/><BR/>What a lovely post. I do think teaching is an art and that saying "Those who can, do, those who can't, teach" actually haunted me for quite a while and I think may have played a role in keeping me from teaching. I have since come to realize that the saying is not true. It takes away the power of good teaching and sees it as a back-up plan rather than a meaningful choice.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08715784900659276067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-3812836350967523382009-03-24T15:54:00.000-04:002009-03-24T15:54:00.000-04:00"If you don't feel like talking, they can go on fo..."If you don't feel like talking, they can go on for hours without you."<BR/><BR/>HOW TRUE! My poor husband was subjected to going to one of my after-school-on-Friday gab sessions with my fellow educators, and he couldn't believe how much we talked! :)eeruppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411458895679658068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-72813993011870082009-03-24T15:16:00.000-04:002009-03-24T15:16:00.000-04:00I heard from a college friend today, and we were r...I heard from a college friend today, and we were reminiscing about one our English professors. He said that he had never loved books/reading so much before -- or since.<BR/><BR/>Your insights on what makes for a great teacher are right on the mark.Beehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02375981493145612394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-67891122767985730962009-03-24T10:13:00.000-04:002009-03-24T10:13:00.000-04:00I'm a math teacher because of my tenth grade math ...I'm a math teacher because of my tenth grade math teacher. I have made sure to drop him a note to let him know the impact he had on me. :)<BR/><BR/>As for that line between friend and teacher, I think it's similar to the line that many parents seem to struggle with. I now have former students who are adults and who I consider friends of mine. For current students, I am probably more "friendly" than some, but it is important to still be a leader and an authority. I make sure to make clear to my students what is appropriate between a teacher and student, and also between an adult and a child.Just mehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05671919237872985299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-16031028901825626472009-03-24T08:08:00.000-04:002009-03-24T08:08:00.000-04:00One teacher stands out in my mind: my 5th grade te...One teacher stands out in my mind: my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Jubar. Maybe it was because he was the only man in a gaggle of lady spinsters that he stood out. But no; he was GOOD. He just had a gift.<BR/><BR/>On the flip side, I had a teacher in high school geometry that completely turned me off of math. He would single me out for errors and had the uncanny knack of bringing out the "bad girl" in me. Oh my. Teaching math was his second job; his other was a men's basketball coach. Mr. Powell, I hope it all came back to you! I blame him for my math block that I have today.Lynnehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05875008154587045790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-80187643204655159902009-03-24T07:00:00.000-04:002009-03-24T07:00:00.000-04:00Being married to a teacher, I guess I'm kind of bi...Being married to a teacher, I guess I'm kind of biased.<BR/><BR/>They are a special breed, and fascinating companions. <BR/><BR/>Also, if you don't feel like talking, they can go on for hours without you.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13824632356834631279noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-57572441775887145712009-03-24T05:29:00.000-04:002009-03-24T05:29:00.000-04:00I'm also going to really miss the appearances on y...I'm also going to really miss the appearances on your blog by the Rev Sylvia , complete with mirror-writing "stop" sign!karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12694425567973843826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-89329633999279905702009-03-24T04:49:00.000-04:002009-03-24T04:49:00.000-04:00i am still learning how to be a good teacher, with...i am still learning how to be a good teacher, with me it has a lot to do with caring more about how much i enjoy my students than worrying about how much they like me. <BR/><BR/>your post has inspired me to keep on trying as i find this a slightly painful area of growth.helehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00500335410678018061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-74858113537963208252009-03-24T01:56:00.000-04:002009-03-24T01:56:00.000-04:00I am not a professional teacher but I have had to ...I am not a professional teacher but I have had to teach many things. I have been a bowling coach at levels from tiny tots to professional bowling camps throughout the country. I have taught employess how to do their jobs for years. I have been a trainer for massage therapists in several settings. <BR/><BR/>For me, it has a lot to do with not only knowing my subject but also the ability to tune into others, matching their wavelength, figure out how they need to receive the informnation and then steadily and patiently raising my frequency to increasingly higer levels not loosing them on the way. It is such a joy when a student starts flying higher than the example I've set.Ronda Laveenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03902846545309643023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-18957796565077716052009-03-23T22:54:00.000-04:002009-03-23T22:54:00.000-04:00I think you have to learn from your students, or i...I think you have to learn from your students, or it's a waste. I always worked hard for my best teachers, and they benefit back when you're good, in return.<BR/><BR/>Go over to M.A. Reya. I compared you to Che in DC today.Washington Cubehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02892459114050731786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-29083672547389336902009-03-23T19:36:00.000-04:002009-03-23T19:36:00.000-04:00Hammer I agree with you completely about the Iron ...Hammer I agree with you completely about the Iron John thing. Weird! But his poems are great, so ... whatever. And yes I'll ask about the entanglement thing. I wouldn't even know about that except for you. Thank you.<BR/><BR/>Sandra - YES, this is exactly what I was talking about. You love Latin! BRAVO!!<BR/><BR/>Julz I bet you are the BEST surfing teacher there ever was. How I wish I could take a lesson from you! Maybe someday!<BR/><BR/>Lover of Life - I think our president really gets how important teachers are. I believe he is going to address the sorry state of public education in our country. Might take awhile, but I think we're waking up to how important teachers are. <BR/><BR/>Peggy I love being on a wavelength with you!<BR/><BR/>And Delwyn, my dog Jake is one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. I know exactly what you mean.<BR/><BR/>GREAT comments, again! Thanks ya'll.Reya Mellickerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13076092659507965666noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-57190818458679321972009-03-23T18:18:00.000-04:002009-03-23T18:18:00.000-04:00True there are teachers of all calibre but it's no...True there are teachers of all calibre but it's not only those who stand up in the front of a class that are our teachers. But I agree some of those have a special gift to tickle your synapses.<BR/><BR/>Teachers come in all shape and form.<BR/>My dog was my latest teacher.Delwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16813713107604750354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-65472288960684913972009-03-23T16:11:00.000-04:002009-03-23T16:11:00.000-04:00Oh, Reya! I was just thinking about this subject! ...Oh, Reya! I was just thinking about this subject! I ran across a Chinese proverb I saw somewhere and jotted on the flyleaf of one of my books: "When the true teacher's job is done, all the students say, 'We did it ourselves'." And you're so right; conveying the info is such a little part of teaching. Beautiful post!Peggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16989657639921973211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-71328172905109769052009-03-23T15:03:00.000-04:002009-03-23T15:03:00.000-04:00I want to say thank you from all the secondary tea...I want to say thank you from all the secondary teachers out there who are just returning from spring break today and wondering if we make a difference at all (all that whining!)---I needed your blog! By the way, I LOVE my job. I can't imagine doing anything else. It doesn't pay well monetarily, but there is definitely job satisfaction.Mrs. Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09281364500907238463noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-6175833395172798862009-03-23T14:21:00.000-04:002009-03-23T14:21:00.000-04:00You're so right that teaching well is a special gi...You're so right that teaching well is a special gift. It's not just knowing the material, not just charisma, not just getting the point across, not even a passion for your subject. All those are necessary, but there's still a little something that makes the best teachers.<BR/>I don't think I have it, but I certainly wish I did. Bravo for all of us who try!NanUhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11596765792663269178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-5073367772719898852009-03-23T14:10:00.000-04:002009-03-23T14:10:00.000-04:00p.s. You, Reya, are also one of my favorite teache...p.s. You, Reya, are also one of my favorite teachers ever. Your posts make me think like no other!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01144451855897433779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-35361946374074960872009-03-23T13:25:00.000-04:002009-03-23T13:25:00.000-04:00I have had a few. And I remember them. But not ver...I have had a few. And I remember them. But not very many, unfortunately.<BR/><BR/>My daughter wants to be a high-school teacher. At first we tried to sway her in another direction because of all the problems in our school system, not least of which is parents. But then I realized she is one of those people that can see the little kid at the back of the class that just might need her. She has a passion for her subject, and loves children. She is also tough, and believes in personal responsibility. Who better to teach?Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13178290697351352495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-37422972560561033062009-03-23T13:04:00.000-04:002009-03-23T13:04:00.000-04:00Robert Bly can certainly turn a phrase - I nearly ...Robert Bly can certainly turn a phrase - I nearly included one of his in the poetry reading last month. But it still doesn't quite make up for the whole "Iron John" debacle. I mean really, running around in the woods and beating the ground with sticks while we complain about our fathers? In the immortal words of AH-nold in Terminator 2...<BR/><BR/>"This does not help our mission."<BR/><BR/>In other news, we're doing the wavelength thing again. I was working on a draft about teaching just yesterday. Oh, and remind me to ask you about an entaglement thing that happened next time we chat.Hammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10834538866855172575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-28415665669499680282009-03-23T12:52:00.000-04:002009-03-23T12:52:00.000-04:00And "those who can't teach, teach gym."Woody Allen...And "those who can't teach, teach gym."<BR/><BR/>Woody Allen "Annie Hall"California Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12582691517303132274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-56818169173743581612009-03-23T12:29:00.000-04:002009-03-23T12:29:00.000-04:00my wife is a teacher with a young heart and a pass...my wife is a teacher with a young heart and a passion for her craft; she would love today's post...And around our neck of the woods, Spring is making a stand...it's going to be a wonderful, warm week...perfect, i'm on vacation. Enjoy.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10948978798395906663noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-40390508921936598142009-03-23T12:16:00.000-04:002009-03-23T12:16:00.000-04:00This is a nice subject because all of us have been...This is a nice subject because all of us have been influenced in some way by a teacher. <BR/><BR/>There is a teacher that I hold close to my heart and it's precisley because he took a personal interest in my well being and blurred the lines a bit between teacher and friend. Not only was he a fantastic teacher academically, but he saw through his students and knew when a little more than teaching from a book was required. <BR/><BR/>He is a hero to me and I will always love the guy. (I will also never forget the teacher who threw an eraser at my head because she was frustrated that I didn't "get" Algebra. But, that's a different story!)Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10158546369146047030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-82831273184313697742009-03-23T12:14:00.000-04:002009-03-23T12:14:00.000-04:00I had a teacher for my junior year history course ...I had a teacher for my junior year history course who all students loved, but all other teachers hated. He related to students so well--especially at risk ones. He taught history through movies, he never passed out a textbook. Our final exam was to watch Forest Gump in class and write down all of the interactions he had with historical people and historical events. I have never forgotten him--he reached students in a way I'd never seen before, and he helped to inspire me to become a teacher. Teachable moments are the best! Thanks, Reya, for stirring up those memories!eeruppshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18411458895679658068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-41076728087818127372009-03-23T12:01:00.000-04:002009-03-23T12:01:00.000-04:00The few great teachers, I had still stand out in m...The few great teachers, I had still stand out in my memory, as well as the horrible ones. They mediocre ones just kind of faded away. Those with a good sense of humor made learning fun. I think you would have to maintain a healthy sense of humor to be a teacher. Difficult task.Tess Kincaidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04889725786678984293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2607471777855707790.post-47515928255388337522009-03-23T11:19:00.000-04:002009-03-23T11:19:00.000-04:00I think about that saying often. Maybe because my...I think about that saying often. Maybe because my Dad & I always thought I'd become an English professor. Maybe because I didn't turn pro and now teach surfing as a profession. I think a little of both.<BR/><BR/>Teaching is wonderful in that you are sharing a spark with someone. You are showing them how to not only appreciate, but do.<BR/><BR/>Reminds me of the "Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime" quote. <BR/><BR/>I still have a "crush" on my 3rd grade teacher. She was the most organic woman I'd ever met and that spark within her inspired me to do my best at what she taught. I don't know that she knows what she did for me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01144451855897433779noreply@blogger.com