Teacher Appreciation Week
During Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11, we asked people to tell us about their favorite teachers. Here are the responses we received:
“Homer Lee Marrow had a smile that was as infectious as the bubonic plague. Once you saw Mr. Marrow, the rest of your day was much brighter. As good of a science teacher as he was, that failed in comparison to Mr. Marrow, the man. A role model for any man, Mr. Marrow was top notch.”
• Submitted by Chuck White
“While in graduate school at OU, Dr. Buffy Edwards taught a class focused on connecting the school library with the greater school community of parents, students, teachers, and other stake holders. I have used those lessons continuously ever since in making the library the hub of the school and connecting life long learners to an appreciation of books and all that a library can offer.”
• Submitted by Robin Ferrell
“Mr. Stephen Redwine was my favorite teacher. He made history come alive through his real-life artifacts, awesome story- telling skills, and his commitment to education. He took a trouble-maker and turned her into a classroom leader. I felt that when I came to class I was a help and not a distraction. He still inspires me in my own classroom today.”
• Submitted by Heather Samis
“Heather Husted is the PK-6th Special Education teacher, as well as, the School Psychometrist at Watts Elementary. She has a passion for students with disabilities and works tirelessly to see them succeed. No matter the situation she makes the best of it. Great relationships with parents, teachers, and students.”
• Submitted by Kelly Husted
“Ms. Linley believed in me. She told me that I was going to college and made me believe that I would be successful. She is the one that encouraged me to go to school. I became a teacher and now am paying it forward by encouraging my students!”
• Submitted by Darschell Barker
“Mrs. Keck was my junior English teacher. I have never met a teacher that cares so deeply about her students, not only in the classroom but outside of school as well. She was always there when you needed to talk to someone no matter when it was. That's why She was my favorite teacher.”
• Submitted by Jordan Fryhover
“Miss Masters was my first-grade teacher in 1965. She not only taught me how to read, she realized that I was a teacher at heart and encouraged me to use my abilities. I cried when I had to leave first grade because I was heartbroken at having to leave Miss Masters. I have always taught with the hope that I could be my students' Miss Masters!”
• Submitted by Kathy Hunt
“I still remember the dance Leah Gajan made up to teach us about the process of evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. She would take us outside and dance around the perimeter of the school, while having us follow her. Not only was it incredibly fun, she made it into a lesson that I will never forget and that I now use on the students I teach.
• Submitted by Emily Handy
“I always thought I was Miss Bjurman's favorite student because I was chosen to do all the speaking and narrating for our class's plays, puppet shows, and similar presentations. Years later while working on my M.Ed., I realized she made all her fourth-grade students feel like her favorite by emphasizing our strengths. She avoided choosing me to work on art projects. I'm a terrible artist. I bet I had classmates who thought they were her favorite when they were picked for art projects or whatever their individual strength was. As I work with teachers today, Miss Bjurman is the model teacher, in my mind, we all strive to be.”
• Submitted by Jerry Frydrych
“Mrs. Cornwell is my favorite teacher because she read some really awesome books to us. She is nice, kind and funny. She helps us with our work, and will allow us to help others when they need it!
This is my daughter’s favorite teacher from Little Axe School System! She was there half a year and what a difference she made in her life!”
• Submitted by Kelley Chapman
“Mrs. Paula Collier is my favorite teacher of all time because she was my first teacher as a Head Start teacher, and she was one of my last teachers in high school. As a senior in high school, I was allowed to choose a teacher to assist for one period per day. I chose to assist Mrs. Collier in her Kindergarten class. It is in that classroom that I saw the learning process in full bloom where I saw the "light bulbs" come on in the heads of those little children. It was at that moment that I wanted to be a teacher so I could witness that "light bulb" moment every day! Thank you Mrs. Collier!!!!”
• Submitted by Karen Price
“(My two daughters and my son-in-law - Sharla Carlile, Sonya Carlile Wharton, Rodney Wharton) I am so proud my children have chosen this career to help raise the children of the world. Teaching is a thankless job, unless you are the teacher and are rewarded by seeing the faces and hearing the voices of the students you have helped educate. Parents don't realize how much teachers actually do to raise their children. I admire my children for their promise to educate to the best of their ability, giving time and promise to the future of all students.”
• Submitted by Tresa Carlile
“Mr.Madeo was absolutely the best. As a kid growing up in up-state New York, Mr.Madeo took the time to help me and other minorities.”
• Submitted by Silvya Kirk
“Mrs. Linville, my fifth-grade teacher, sat with me and saw my frustration at not being able to draw what I saw, so she taught me how to write beautiful descriptions of what I saw. After describing what I saw with words, I was better able to draw it. That gift of descriptive writing has filled my life with joy over and over, both writing for pleasure and in my career. Thank you, Mrs. Linville. I love you!”
• Submitted by Kathy Dunn
“Ms. Valerie Singleton of Briarwood Elementary in Moore Public Schools was my daughter's third-grade teacher. She was so wonderful in knowing what my daughter's potential was and constantly finding ways to bring it out in her. She allowed my daughter to shine in her own way and made her feel very special. She is a super teacher!”
• Submitted by Andrea Wheeler
“My son had Mrs. Cindy Lowe of Briarwood Elementary in Moore Public Schools as his first-grade teacher. She was a wonderful teacher who ensured that all students felt success. My son was so excited to go to school everyday and loved being in Mrs. Lowe's class. She had excellent rapport with the parents and made me feel so lucky to have her as my son's teacher. She is a wonderful teacher and person.”
• Submitted by Andrea Wheeler
“Mrs. Laura Hughes holds a special place in my heart. She is my daughter’s first-grade teacher and she makes sure education is at the top of her chart, but she puts character and morals at the forefront, too. I'm blessed to have her in our life this year.”
• Submitted by Jeanette Flores
