My Favorite Teacher!

Many, many moons ago (23 years to be exact) I was a young man in the 6th grade. I had several teachers before then and had many more since. I even married a teacher. However, no teacher that I ever had compared to my favorite - my 6th grade teacher. Yes, even my wife knows that she is not my favorite teacher.

This past week, through a little internet searching (isn't the internet just amazing?) I was able to track down my favorite teacher. I must say that I was quite shocked to discover that she was still teaching 6th grade at the same elementary school. I was even able to e-mail her and she, as true to her nature that made her my favorite, responded back. As my wife now likes to tell people, I am "giddy" over having found my favorite teacher.

Even though I have several memories of my 6th grade year, I find it hard to say here is the one or two things that made Mrs. Findley my favorite. The fact of the matter is that it was her overall attitude. She made you feel special and made you feel that she was there because she enjoyed being there. It wasn't just a job. She made things fun. She never seemed to takes things to seriously. Even when I got in trouble once for writing a note in class that said something derogatory toward another student I had to sit out of recess but I wasn't made to feel like I was necessarily bad or stupid. I was just a kid who had written something stupid.

On the last day of school we had lined up to head to the buses for one last time. As we walked past our respective teachers some students, mostly girls, hugged and thanked their teachers. Me, being a macho man didn't want to seem silly in front of the other guys so I calmly walked past Mrs. Findley like it was just any other day. I always regretted that I never said thank you and for letting her know that she really meant a lot to me. Well, it took nearly 23 years but I was finally able to let her know that she was indeed my favorite teacher.

This whole experience has me thinking of others that I failed to say something to. It was really shear luck that I was able to find my favorite 6th grade teacher. What if that had not happened? I'd still be living with that regret. Perhaps this should be a lesson for us all. Take advantage of the time that we have. Tell those who are important to us just what they do mean to our lives. 23 years later I am still learning from my 6th grade teacher.