Dear Teachers,

There are so many of you whose lives, examples and teaching methods have influenced me. For as many as I could name, there are more I would forget.

Still, too, are those educators whose classrooms I didn’t sit in, but admired from a distance.

You’ve comforted little ones as they entered a classroom for the first time and repeated alphabet sounds over and over until readers emerged.

You knew just when the class needed a break and let them relax as you read “Amelia Bedelia” or “If You Give A Mouse A Cookie.”

Rather than call out the spelling words for the test, you put the word in a song and sang for the class. Spelling tests were fun.

It would have been enough to have your students read a play, but you went a step further and gave your students the opportunity to take to the stage and perform.

There must have been a temptation to leave the quiet students alone, but you didn’t. You called them from their daydreaming and challenged them to excel.

You assigned history and science projects, causing students and parents to think outside of the box to display their knowledge.

It is because of you that I chose to study Education in college, and my own teaching experience made me appreciate your commitment to your profession.

Your patient encouragement helped to challenge, train, and discipline the minds of so many. You’ve left an imprint not only on children, but on families, and our community. For your priceless investment into your students, I thank you.

Ronny Michel may be reached at rmichel@rtconline.com.