I've always loved this Jill Biden quote - and I was on the same stage with Joe Biden the first time I heard it. While enjoying this snow day I've been thinking about my last 33 years in the classroom and how much I've enjoyed them. I then began thinking about the teachers who influenced me, and helped me become a better educator. Know this: I've learned something from ALL of the people with whom I have worked, but there have been a handful who have been extraordinary. So - here's my TOP FIVE TEACHING ROLE MODELS:
Number 5 - John Wolfgram, Gardiner High School.
I taught with this gifted teacher for exactly 8 weeks...as a student teacher at GAHS in the spring of 1985. But I'll never forget the passion, work ethic, and drive that he brought to his job everyday. He was absolutely intimidating, but I learned an incredible amount from him. After my student teaching experience I got a job, and then after one year I came back to Gardiner and took Mr. Wolfgram's position when he took a job in South Portland. He was tremendous.
Number 4 - Jeff Jewett, Lawrence High School.
What can you say about the man who gave you your first teaching job? Mr. Jewett hired me at Lawrence in the fall of 1985. I don't think I had the best transcript or resume, but I think he saw something in me. So if you want someone to blame - it's Jeff Jewett. He is also one of the best teachers I've ever seen. As a 22 year old first-year teacher I could not have asked for a better role model. He was always positive and excited about his job, and he NEVER complained. You have no idea how important that has been to me. He's retired and living in Arizona now, and even though we only taught together for one year we've remained friends for over 30.
Number 3 - Brian Lister, University of Maine at Farmington.
I couldn't find a picture of Dr. Lister, but he will always be my absolute favorite college professor. He taught me two REALLY important lessons. First - know your shit. I've always prided myself in being more than fluent in the material that I teach. I am constantly researching, reading, and searching for the things that I need to know. Lister was like that - he seemingly knew everything. And secondly - have fun while you teach. Dr. Lister always looked like he was having a blast...because he was. I try to be the same way. When I'm in class I try to make it fun for ME - which in turn makes it fun for my students.
Number 2 - Stan Cowan, Maranacook Community School.
I taught for six years across the hall from the best high school teacher I'll ever know. Stan Cowan helped make me a better teacher simply by forcing me to try and keep up with him. I've tried hard to maintain his work ethic, and I've never met an educator who worked harder than Mr. Cowan. He was another educator who was seemingly always having fun, and as a result his students benefitted. It was also very evident that he cared about his students a great deal.
And number 1: Dianne Thurston, Lincoln Elementary School
My mother has always been, and will always be my greatest influence as a teacher. I wanted to become a teacher at a very early age from watching her. The most important lesson she taught me was how much she cared about her students and how much she cared about her colleagues. I remember her working at home trying so hard to come up with lessons that would inspire her 5th graders. And I also remember her trying to think of ways to make the other teachers in her building laugh. I honestly can't remember wanting to do anything else for a living - and it's mostly because of my mother. So there are my heroes of the classroom.
Life is good,
~MET
