I'm sure most people have had that one special teacher that impacts them in a way that will change their life....I have been fortunate enough to have had a few teachers that have expanded the corners of my mind to bring me to a whole other level of wisdom. I'm not saying that I'm wise, by any means, but I would not look at the world with such admiration and curiosity had it not been for these people.
1st grade- Mrs. Wiegers (SW Chicago Christian)
Mrs. Wiegers took my puny impressionable brain and turned it into an organ that ingested information, processed it, and spat it out to the rest of the world. She read us stories and had the Mrs. Wiegers show (her microphone, a cardboard paper-towel roll, tennis ball, and duct tape). She would make us laugh and though I thought it was all fun and games, she was injecting us with all the necessary tools to learn how to spell, read, and write.
8th grade-Ms. Opie (SW Chicago Christian)
While I was not too fond of Ms. Opie she did improve my writing ability. Every week a new current event was assigned, dealing with politics, education, religion etc. We were to research theses topics and write 1-2 pages on our findings. As any 8th grader I would procrastinate the homework I was not looking forward to to the Sunday before it was due...current events. While I hated these papers, my mind was opened to the world, and writing about it became easier and easier. (She was the first teacher in my Christian education to force me to think outside of my teeny tiny Christian bubble).
Sophomore year-Mrs. Robare (Moraine Valley summer class)
Mrs. Robare, where to begin. She was one of the sweetest ladies you will meet, not to mention patient. Mrs. Robare was my first photography teacher. She trained my mind to work in a whole new way, through the lens of my camera instead of a book. I learned about people, neighborhoods, lighting, science, math.... She was the first teacher to give me feedback that would change the course of my future. Mrs. Robare told me I had talent (something I don't think any teacher ever told me)and that I should go to school for photography.
Senior year-Mrs. Look (Carl Sandburg High school)
Oh Mrs. Look, how you kick ass. Mrs. Look taught my A.P. English class...a class that I was terrified to start and wondered how I could even be placed at such a level. She did not believe in grades, but rather our thoughts. She pushed us to be thinkers and doers. Her education background was outstanding and it seemed as though everyone was her student at one point in time.
Sophomore year-Ames Hawkins (Columbia College)
Ames. Jeez louise how to explain Ames. 1st class-INTIMIDATION! Ames' knowledge of the world and how it works is unbelievable. She can pick it apart, critique it, throw it all back together again and make you realize it's ALL connected. I realized, through her class, how corrupt our world could be...and to critique it!...what a daunting task to take it on.
Ames knows her stuff and it's an amazingly overwhelming feeling to listen to her lecture. She twisted my mind inside out and made me think in a way I never thought possible.
Senior year-Ajan (Dr.) Amnuay Tapingkae (Study abroad in Thailand-Payap University)
Sweet sweet Amnuay. Wisest of wise...reminiscent of Yoda.
Ajan Amnuay has more than likely taught half the world's population, at least it seems. He has the wisdom of someone who has lived on the planet for 200 years, but looks like he's only in his 50's (we still have yet to uncover his true age). He is pretty much a Thai celebrity and as the days go on, I realize more and more how much respect this man deserves. His smile is contagious, and his big glasses make him appear smaller than he really is. I feel so honored to be in his presence and to call him my Ajan. (Amnuay is currently working on his memoir)
These people have stretched my brain, turned it inside out, and formed it to critique the world with love, empathy, and care. I have been taught to not stand for the ills of the world, but to be a voice for the everything I believe in.
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