Kathleen Parker, a Washington Post columnist, and recent Pulitzer Prize winner -- way to go, Kathleen -- attributed some of her success to a special teacher she had in high school.
In her column on April 15h, she told the story of Mr. Gasque, her high school English teacher. Kathleen had been called on in class and did not know the answer to the question, but whatever she said made the class erupt in laughter. Mr. Gasque whirled from the blackboard. "No perfectly executed pirouette can top the spin executed by Mr. Gasque that day." she wrote. "Suddenly facing the class, he flushed crimson and his voice trembled with rage. 'Don't. You. Ever. Laugh. At her. Again,' he said. 'She can out-write every one of you any day of the week.'"
Kathleen continued her column by writing, "It is not possible to describe my gratitude. Time suspended and I dangled languorously from a fluff of cloud while my colleagues drowned in stunned silence. I dangle even now, like those silly participles I eventually got to know."
What a wonderful moment, and anyone who has been touched by a special teacher knows that feeling.
In her column, Kathleen encouraged readers to think about those special teachers that touched our lives, and maybe pay them homage.
So I want to thank Mrs. Henderson, my third-grade teacher who introduced me to the joy of books and reading.
I also want to thank myseventh-grade teacher, Mrs. Carpenter, for entering my story in the Scholastic Writing Awards contest. I didn't know she had done that until I was notified that I won an award.
And I want to thank Sister Honora, my high school English and journalism teacher who also encouraged me to write and keep on writing.
It's possible that I could have ended up where I am now - a voracious reader and a published author - without their influence, but I highly doubt it.
What about you? What teachers do you remember who made a difference for you?
