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Lessons learned and the people who teach them
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
August 11, 2004
As students get ready to go back to school next week, it’s hard not to think back to my own school days. No, it hasn’t been that long ago, but they are still behind me. As a result, I have the advantage of hindsight to see many things in a new and perhaps more profound light.
Each year started with new school supplies and a buzz among students as to what teachers to avoid and which ones to hope to have. There was always at least one that was “mean” or “too hard”. In contrast, there was also that one ideal teacher with a sweet disposition and perfect smile. All the rest fell between those two in a pecking order that students set up year-to-year and passed down to the next class.
From the new angle at which I look at this phenomenon, I realize that all teachers have one important thing in common that as a student you don’t necessarily see: They all simply want to teach. They want to reach into the minds - and sometimes into the souls — of their students to give them knowledge. They wish to spark something in them that may allow their students to find their perfect path in life.
Every teacher I ever had was special. Each one made a dramatic impact on me, and I have so many stories I could tell about each one — from Kindergarten to my final semester of college.
However, as I look back on my over 17 years of education, there are four teachers that will forever hold a lead roll in my academic career.
Denise Gooden. Second Grade. Wife of the head coach, it was her first year teaching in our school district. She stood out weeks before the school year began when she sent a large brown envelope in the mail addressed to ME. Inside was a mixed bag of worksheets, pages to color, a supply list, and a letter welcoming me to her class.
She made every subject a game and every lesson was magic. I doubt she’ll ever know the impact she had on a little blonde haired girl who got glasses that year and for the first time actually liked math.
Brandi Vincent. Journalism. A redheaded spitfire from San Angelo, Texas, who descended upon our campus with fresh ideas. It was first year to teach, and she discovered in me a natural aptitude for writing journalistically. It is because of her that I am doing what I do today.
It was with sadness that we said good-bye to her - losing not only a great teacher but also a dear friend. It was with joy that I sent her an invitation to my college graduation in which it said I was getting a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Journalism.
Bridget Barfield. Journalism. She took over where Mrs. Vincent left off. A teen at heart, we clicked right away. She continued to guide me in honing my journalism skills. However, with her it was with more broad strokes, allowing me to try a little bit of every thing. As a result, my experience in the field grew by leaps and bounds.
Sadly, she is no longer a teacher, instead she is now a business owner. A dear friend today, she and I keep in close touch via email, and I make the occasional trip to Dallas to visit her. She’s one of my biggest supporters, and for that I am very grateful.
Dr. Douglas Starr. Editing and Media Writing. A strict professor at Texas A&M who knows his trade better than most; he is the teacher I’d heard the most mixed reviews about. The general consensus, however, had always been that he was hard and you wanted to avoid him if at all possible.
It was with a sense of dread that I walked into that room my first day in his class. It was with a sense of honor that I left the last day after having been educated by him. I regularly find myself asking, “What would Dr. Starr say about this?” as I write or edit an article. I think he’ll always be peering over my shoulder telling me if something is “just stupid.”
Today, I’m no longer a student in the general sense of the word. However, I learn something new every day. New teachers come in and out of my life. Many come and go; their lessons are subtle. Some, however, take a place as outstanding mentors in life lessons, and they have made, and will make, a profound impact on who I am and what I do.
Never stop learning. All students — young and old, in life and in academics — need to be open to the lessons their many teachers are trying to instill. They are looking out for their students’ best interest...
Even those “mean” teachers.
Nise's Notes
by Denise Schoppe
The Marlin Democrat
August 11, 2004
As students get ready to go back to school next week, it’s hard not to think back to my own school days. No, it hasn’t been that long ago, but they are still behind me. As a result, I have the advantage of hindsight to see many things in a new and perhaps more profound light.
Each year started with new school supplies and a buzz among students as to what teachers to avoid and which ones to hope to have. There was always at least one that was “mean” or “too hard”. In contrast, there was also that one ideal teacher with a sweet disposition and perfect smile. All the rest fell between those two in a pecking order that students set up year-to-year and passed down to the next class.
From the new angle at which I look at this phenomenon, I realize that all teachers have one important thing in common that as a student you don’t necessarily see: They all simply want to teach. They want to reach into the minds - and sometimes into the souls — of their students to give them knowledge. They wish to spark something in them that may allow their students to find their perfect path in life.
Every teacher I ever had was special. Each one made a dramatic impact on me, and I have so many stories I could tell about each one — from Kindergarten to my final semester of college.
However, as I look back on my over 17 years of education, there are four teachers that will forever hold a lead roll in my academic career.
Denise Gooden. Second Grade. Wife of the head coach, it was her first year teaching in our school district. She stood out weeks before the school year began when she sent a large brown envelope in the mail addressed to ME. Inside was a mixed bag of worksheets, pages to color, a supply list, and a letter welcoming me to her class.
She made every subject a game and every lesson was magic. I doubt she’ll ever know the impact she had on a little blonde haired girl who got glasses that year and for the first time actually liked math.
Brandi Vincent. Journalism. A redheaded spitfire from San Angelo, Texas, who descended upon our campus with fresh ideas. It was first year to teach, and she discovered in me a natural aptitude for writing journalistically. It is because of her that I am doing what I do today.
It was with sadness that we said good-bye to her - losing not only a great teacher but also a dear friend. It was with joy that I sent her an invitation to my college graduation in which it said I was getting a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Journalism.
Bridget Barfield. Journalism. She took over where Mrs. Vincent left off. A teen at heart, we clicked right away. She continued to guide me in honing my journalism skills. However, with her it was with more broad strokes, allowing me to try a little bit of every thing. As a result, my experience in the field grew by leaps and bounds.
Sadly, she is no longer a teacher, instead she is now a business owner. A dear friend today, she and I keep in close touch via email, and I make the occasional trip to Dallas to visit her. She’s one of my biggest supporters, and for that I am very grateful.
Dr. Douglas Starr. Editing and Media Writing. A strict professor at Texas A&M who knows his trade better than most; he is the teacher I’d heard the most mixed reviews about. The general consensus, however, had always been that he was hard and you wanted to avoid him if at all possible.
It was with a sense of dread that I walked into that room my first day in his class. It was with a sense of honor that I left the last day after having been educated by him. I regularly find myself asking, “What would Dr. Starr say about this?” as I write or edit an article. I think he’ll always be peering over my shoulder telling me if something is “just stupid.”
Today, I’m no longer a student in the general sense of the word. However, I learn something new every day. New teachers come in and out of my life. Many come and go; their lessons are subtle. Some, however, take a place as outstanding mentors in life lessons, and they have made, and will make, a profound impact on who I am and what I do.
Never stop learning. All students — young and old, in life and in academics — need to be open to the lessons their many teachers are trying to instill. They are looking out for their students’ best interest...
Even those “mean” teachers.
