Nell MohneyLast week, a friend called and invited me to ride with her to a luncheon. I accepted immediately because she is the best conversationalist I know. She can make something as mundane as a trip to the grocery store seem as exciting as winning the lottery or getting a free trip to New York.
As we drove, our conversation dealt with the state of education in our area. We agreed that good teachers equal good education. She asked if I had had a favorite teacher from first grade through college. Of course, there were many I liked, but my favorite was Mrs. Bridges, my fourth-grade teacher.
When I tried to describe her, I realized that she was the strictest teacher I ever had. She gave us more homework than most other teachers. In addition, when we gave oral presentations, we had to be totally prepared, speak clearly and distinctly and be interesting. Even now, when I speak before an audience, I see her face and hear her instructions. I often wonder if Mrs. Bridges would have been pleased with my presentation.
I think that what made her class so distinctive was that, most of all, she made it interesting, even fun. For example, when we came in from recess, we usually were not ready for heavy-duty learning, so she read to us. She chose books appropriate to our age group but always entertaining. She would read a couple of chapters and stop, so that we could hardly wait for the next day and the rest of the story. I credit Mrs. Bridges for my love of reading.
But she was no pushover. None of us dared go into her classroom without being fully prepared. Whereas some teachers seemed to have favorite students, we knew that, with Mrs. Bridges, each of us would get a fair hearing. Interestingly, we all wanted to please her.
There is no doubt about it. Good teachers make for good education. In every way possible, let’s support them and encourage our top-notch youth to choose education as a vocation.
Contact Nell Mohney at nellwmohney@comcast.net.