Thankful for my Teachers

I have been fortunate in that I have been blessed with great teachers over the course of my life. They were Sunday School teachers, Private School teachers, Public School teachers, superiors in the Marine Corps... and I came away a better person for having known them.

These teachers were not amazing because of the content they taught. They were amazing because they understood that, more than teaching a subject, they were teaching the whole child. They saw me and my peers as more than mere students answering exam questions. We were young people who needed to take our steps into a greater world prepared for what that world had in store for us.

Here is a brief run down of some of my most memorable teachers and what I learned from them beyond the subject matter. If I am 10% of what they were to me with my own students, I would count myself quite successful.

Roger Glidewell: My Youth Minister, who reminded me that I could rise above my circumstance. For starting me on my faith journey.

Tommy Lyons: My Music Minister, who encouraged my talents and despite knowing my challenges, treated me with grace and dignity-always. I was so happy that my family got to know him and his wife before we left.

Mr. Bazan: My first grade teacher. He was one of the first to encourage a love of learning.

Mr. Bradley: My middle school history teacher. He showed me kindness and temperance with everyone, not a select few.

Mr. Cox: My Algebra I teacher. He never gave up on his students.

Mrs. Tatum: My English I teacher. She renewed a love for the written word and taught me the value of creating a good argument. She also reminded me that anything I wanted to do could be possible-with hard work.

Mrs. Dowdy: My English II teacher and debate coach. I learned to see potential in every student.

Mrs. Rhodes: My Algebra II teacher. She taught me the importance of teaching to every student.

Mr. Davis: My Choir Director, who pushed me to be better, taught me humility and perseverance. Who first introduced me to beauty that is choral music and helped me find my voice.

Mrs. Smith: My first university voice instructor, for renewing and reminding me about the aforementioned love of music.

Dr. Johnson; My first University Choir Director, for showing me another level of music making. For giving me a big hug and telling me how glad he was to see me at my first TMEA as a Choral Director.

Robert Albright: My Cooperating Teacher, for showing me just what being a choral director involves. For bringing together everything I had learned as an undergrad and showing it to me as you taught your students and trusting me to stumble though teaching  as you handed them over to me. I never got to tell you before you died but the letter of encouragement you sent me my third year into teaching could not have come at a better time. I still read it on occasion.

Dr. Silantien, Dr. Mabry, and Dr. Dill: my university instructors, voice teachers, and choral directors, for encouraging me, disciplining me, and guiding me on my journey as a choral director and music teacher.

Lastly, my dear friend, David Custer: Choir Director extraordinaire, for being the kind of friend I needed when I needed it. For reminding me that success is possible with any group of students as long as you make it about the students. For getting me back on my feet when I was ready to hang it up. I cannot believe three years have gone by since you died. I still miss you, my friend.

All of you have given me inspiration (still do) to be the best teacher and director I can be. To be in a constant state of learning. To teach more than just the subject to my students as you did with me.

Thank you.