Of Sweet Tea and Memories...

Last night, since Chris was out of town on business, the girls and I made the trek to our favorite fast food restaurant for dinner...Chick Fil-A!!! We love their chicken, but their sweet tea ROCKS!! It is so good, I could drink a gallon of it in no time, at all!!

While we were sitting there gabbing and stuffing our faces silly, Abby spotted her former third grade teacher, Mrs. Phillips, walking in. We hadn't seen her since she was in about the fourth grade, which was 2 years ago. Abby loved having her as a teacher and I became very close to her, also, because I was her room mom. Yes, I was volunteering then, too! She's just one of those people you never forget. She has such a love for teaching and for learning and it rubs off on all her students. Abby was always so excited to be in her classroom because she made it such an adventure. Plus, Mrs. Phillips would give out hugs and praise all the time, which made the students feel appreciated and encouraged. Hands down, I'd have to say that she was one of the best teachers Abby has ever had.

After she got her food, she saw us and came over and sat next to me for several minutes. We talked about her new teaching position at another school that just opened and how much she loves it. She talked with Abby and asked all about middle school. Though she'd met Brittany only a time or two, she remembered that she's a junior in high school now and that's she's driving. We used to talk about it all the time when I'd come to her class for parties, etc. So, that shows that she was plugged in and truly cared about her students and their families. It isn't often that you come across a teacher like Mrs. Phillips...one that leaves a positive impression on you for years to come.

It made me think back to my years in school and what teachers stand out in my mind. Without a doubt, my favorite teacher of all was Ms. Levine. She was my creative writing and speech teacher in high school. She had a way of bringing me out of my shell and making me believe in all that I could achieve. She instilled in me a love for writing. She'd make us keep daily journals in her class, and I've been keeping journals ever since. I started journals for each of my daughters from the moment I found out I was pregnant with them, all through my pregnancies, and through every year of their growing up. It's so neat for me to go back and read them. Definitely brings a tear to me eyes every time!

Ms. Levine, also, helped me step out of my comfort zone and take a few risks. I had a tendency to be a bit on the shy side at times, so being in her speech class, helped me gain confidence. I didn't like it at first...getting up in front of the class to make a speech about this or that made me a nervous wreck! I'd sit in my seat and my heart would nearly pound right out of my chest! I'd avoid eye contact with her because I knew that if our eyes met, she'd call on me to speak. Well, it worked the opposite way. She'd call on me because I didn't look at her!! So, up to the podium I'd go, knocking knees and all! Actually, I'd end up doing just fine once I got started, and I haven't stopped talking since! :)

Another thing Ms. Levine did was instill in me a love for the arts. She chose me, both my junior and senior years, to have lead rolls in our class plays. I was so excited and I loved every minute of it! Those are some of my best memories from high school! She, also, selected me to be the Master of Ceremonies for the talent show. Now, remember, I was never really big on talking in front of crowds, but I found my element that night! Did I ever! I even had the superintendent of our school come up to me, afterwards, and tell me that I was a great speaker. What!!!! Me???? I couldn't get over it! I really believe that she's part of the reason I enjoy Broadway musicals so much. We went to see a production of "Fiddler on the Roof" one time and I was hooked immediately.

Here I am in our senior play, "Meet Me at the Fair"...

So, Ms. Levine, definitely left inspired me because she was a great teacher...the kind you'll ALWAYS remember. She saw abilities in me that I never even knew I had, and made me believe in myself! It is for that, I'm very thankful. She passed away not too long ago and I wish I had taken the opportunity to say, "Thank you for touching my life." Somehow, though, I think she knew.

What about you? Do you have a favorite teacher that you still think about after all these years?