Yesterday was national Teacher Appreciation Day. Did you take the time to tell a teacher “thank you”? I hope so!
I had no idea until my mom texted me to wish me a good day that it was the day that we should celebrate our teachers. Throughout the day I thought about all of the teachers that I have had in my life from grade school to college. And then I thought about my family, and how they have been the best teachers of all.
First, I want to take a quick trip down memory lane to my school days before I praise my family.
There were so many fond and inspiring memories that came to my mind yesterday ranging from my first grade reading group all the way to my children’s literature courses at LCU.
Looking back at grade school there are many teachers whom I loved: Ms. Haught, Mrs. Black, Mrs. Long, Mrs. Kitchens, and Mrs. White. What I remembered most about these educators is that they cared for me. They had high expectations of me. They engaged me in their classes. They inspired me to become a teacher.
I’m just going to skip over junior high because, frankly, I hated it so much. I’m not quite sure if anything good came out of those years for me!
Let me look into my years in high school instead. At SHS I started off deeply involved in athletics which I loved at the time, but my interests changed as life changed (I won’t go into this discussion because just as good teachers can lift a child high and inspire her, bad teachers can crush the spirit of that child and forever change her. That happened to me, so I charted an alternate path). I fell in love with journalism because Mrs. Potter nurtured me and believed in me and my abilities. She saw that I had talent, and she fostered that talent. It was in her classes that I fell in love with reading, writing, and design.
Then, there was college when I was finally beginning to figure out just who I was. There were professors that had a hand in my “finding myself”, but it was truly Mr. Yarborough and Dr. Blassingame who showed me what real secondary English teachers can be to a child. It was during my years as their student that I decided to become an English teacher. I’m so grateful for them.
Now, I am working with some of the best educators in the field, and I learn from them daily. It’s so awesome!
All of these people listed above had a hand in molding my future and my career. My identity is heavily defined by my career as an educator, and I learned, and I am still learning, from some of the best. Thank you all!
However, my career is only half of who I am. The other half, and the most important, is me, the real Amy Smithson Chaney: the mom, the wife, the daughter, the sister, the niece, the granddaughter, and the cousin. The Amy who was raised by the best family a child could ask for. I don’t take any of them for granted. They were and still are teachers to me. It’s important for me on this day to list them and their contributions to my life. I have learned from wonderful people! I am learning to be a better person day in and day out based on what I take from them. They have made me into who I am as well. Each one has played a critical role in my life.
Here we go! Thanks to…
1. My dad: He is the hard working, upstanding, wise, never reacts only acts, encouraging man. Because of his love, I know that the father-daughter relationship is the most important relationship in a girl’s life because it sets the stage for the rest of her life. His guidance has directed my path in life.
2. My mom: She has taught me that a mother’s love is the most important gift a child can receive and that big hugs just when they are needed the most can brighten someone’s day. Mom taught me that someone always needs a fighter in her corner of the ring at all times because it’s a tough world out there. Thanks for being in my corner and for being a shoulder for me to cry on. Moms are the greatest providers because they tackle everything that others would never consider doing, and they do it because they want to. Moms love.
3. My husband: Travis teaches me to be patient. True love can conquer all. Don’t jump to conclusions. Be happy! Laugh often. Everyone needs a confidante. Your spouse should be your best friend. Never give up and continue to persevere because cloudy days don’t last forever. Take pride in everything you do.
4. My MeeMo: She was a true lady of grace and dignity. I learned that a grandmother’s soft, loving touch can make a child feel truly happy and safe (especially when the child is wrapped in her robe at the breakfast table). A grandmother is a child’s best secret-keeper and the ultimate cheerleader!
5. My Big Daddy: He was a tough man. I remember he never backed down and he fought hard. A grandfather’s strength is a good thing. Light-hearted banter keeps things upbeat and fun. Taking time to sit and watch the world go by is nice. You always have to know when it’s just the right time to push others’ buttons, or else…
6. Judy: She is not only my aunt, but she is a friend. Be generous with hand-me-downs and other gifts because they bring joy to people. Doing nothing all day can be fun (i.e. floating in the lake), and long talks with a good listener are a must-have. I also learned from her that it is essential to correct others’ poorly chosen words because you don’t want them to get embarrassed when they speak incorrectly!
7. Lana: My fun and adventurous, young-at-heart aunt has taught me to stay busy, do what you love, and laughter is contagious.
8. Penny: Look at the world with an innocent eye as often as possible. Don’t be corrupt.
9. Anna: Every girl needs “sisterly love”, and we have that!
10. Clate: What can I say? As a mom, I feel that I am learning more from him on a daily basis than I could have ever imagined. Thank you Clate for making me grow daily and strive to be a better person.
Each one of these people has played an instrumental role in educating me during my lifetime. When I look at that list and their contributions to my life, all that I can say to myself is Wow, how blessed am I? I truly am. So, during this week that we should be acknowledging our teachers at school, I also want to thank my loved ones who have been the best teachers of all. I hope that I can be the same to others as you have been to me. I love you! This is your day.
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