"A teacher affects eternity, and can never tell where the influence stops." - Henry Brooks Adams

In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Day, I thought I would express my gratitude to possibly, the most influential career, in our world, the teacher.  It is a profession that touches everyone, everywhere.    Every Tom, Dick and Harry has had an educator that has impacted their lives.   You know the ones; they go above and beyond and really connect with us, that teacher that sparked our interest in the arts or mathematics, that teacher that took an interest in you.

Years ago, when I was in school, I would have said that the best teachers were the entertaining ones who gave the least amount of homework.  I know you are all with me, who really at age 14, wanted to learn about the Civil War, Geometry or Shakespeare?  I wanted to have fun.  Looking back now, with my grown up eyes, the Grade A teachers, were the ones that sparked an interest in me, even when I didn’t know there was one.   The teachers who had a love for what they were instructing and I could tell because they engaged me and made me want to learn because of their energy.  The best teachers were accessible and never too busy to listen to me even though I’m sure their schedules were jam-packed.  

When we are young’uns, we don’t realize the importance of a first class teacher; we just worry about that passing grade and wonder why we have to learn something we will never need in life.  School is just something that gets in the way of our social life.  However when we grow up and have successes, we recognize that our teachers played an enormous role in making that possible. 

The value of teaching is immeasurable.  In the words of Henry Brooks Adams, “A teacher affects eternity, and can never tell where the influence stops.”  I believe this to be true.  Each and every time a person reaches greatness, you can be sure that a great teacher must have played a role.  Good teachers develop minds, spark interest, teach fundamentals, learn from their students, listen often, go above and beyond and impact lives daily.  They are so much more than just ABCs and 123s.

Take time to realize all the amazing teachers you were able to have in your life and thank a teacher today.  To every one of my teachers, I would like to say a simple THANK YOU.  In many ways you have made an impression on me that I will carry with me forever.  Thank you to teachers everywhere, you may not feel like you are appreciated daily but just remember the value of what you do is immeasurable.  In some way, you will be with your students for a lifetime, so please be a magnificent teacher.  The future is depending on you.