Today I’ve been making curtains for the new house and it got me to thinking about the impact teachers have on our lives.
So what’s the connection between making curtains and teaching? Well simply, that I did needle work at grammar school and the skills/techniques are still with me 35 years later. Some other stuff has long been forgotten, I mean I don’t do quadratic equations anymore!
Some teachers made great impressions on me and others have just got lost in time. Here is a round up of the positive ones:
- Mr Granger 1965-66, York Mead Primary School, Birmingham, UK. The first person to teach me to play the recorder. Thanks, your teaching is still with me, I still play, though I need to practice to get back up to grade 8 level where I was at teacher training college. I appreciated you taking me on the the “advanced” group to learn treble.
- Miss Chapman, 1967-72, Yardley Grammar School, Birmingham UK. Thanks for teaching me to write correctly. Do you know how valued I felt when you put one of my essays up on the wall for parents evening? Sending me on an Outward Bound week was great. Sorry I never got to go on one of your Skiing expeditions.
- Mrs Carradine, 1967-72, Yardley Grammar School, Birmingham UK. Your recognition of the difficulties of adolescence was very comforting. Although I haven’t done any sewing in years, you’ll be glad to know I haven’t forgotten what you taught me. I didn’t get a Bernina machine however, have gone with Janome.
- Mr Richmond, 1967-72, Yardley Grammar School, Birmingham UK. I did think music would be a large part of my whole life. Got that wrong. But it has stayed with me and it was great to be musical director of the Lincoln University Choir (NZ) before I took early “retirement”. Thanks also for lending me your ear.
- I think you get the picture.
Those who had a positive influence on my life, were those who believed in me. They believed in me. I’ll say it again as I think it is important. THEY BELIEVED IN ME. I was a very shy student, not at all outgoing, got picked on, wore specs, had a lisp, but for all that these people saw past my inhibitions, saw the potential I had and encouraged me. THANK YOU. Because of your faith in me I have had a great career and life.
If any of you read this blog, do get in touch, I’d love to catch up.
Image “Teach me” by Foxypar
