John,
Last week, Jamaal asked you to share stories of teachers that have changed your life in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week. Hundreds of you wrote in with touching stories about how teachers, coaches, and counselors have made a meaningful difference in your lives to this day.
We wanted to share a few of those stories with you today:
Mrs. Lightfoot was my high school literature teacher. She saw that I could never put a book down, and she took the time to invest in me and my love of reading. Thank you, Mrs. Lightfoot, for challenging me to reach higher, for introducing me to countless books that changed my life, and for making me feel like I could do and be anything."
"The late Ms. Hilda Mason saw teaching talent in me before I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I was only 17, but she often asked me to go to the board and show students how to solve equations and geometric proofs."
"Mr. O'Leary taught everything at Palmer Elementary School in Denver during the 50's and 60's! He was a scholar, spoke five languages, and could have done anything. We loved him."
"Mrs. Mary Whidby Bowman (my grandmother) was a first grade teacher for more than 40 years… Her love for teaching and positively shaping the lives of young people was an invaluable gift to countless students. They would often credit my grandmother for her direct influence on their lives and pay her visits to say thank you."
"Mrs. Sinitsky was my high school math teacher and my volleyball coach. Both on the court and in the classroom, Mrs. Sinitsky created an environment of support, compassion. She taught me to be confident in myself and to reach out for support whenever I needed it. While I’m nowhere close to being a mathematician or volleyball star today, I still often remember the lessons she taught me and cherish them as I continue to grow."
These stories demonstrate over and over, John: teachers have changed and saved millions of lives, and their work is what love looks like in action. As we continue our fight to transform our nation and to center and prioritize care in our economy, we must continue to listen to, support, and uplift our teachers and educators.
Jamaal is one of the few educators in Congress today, and he brings a solutions-oriented approach to leadership based around empathy, active listening, and care — the kind of leadership that's greatly needed in Washington.
And since he took office, Jamaal has been working closely with other members of Congress and the White House to ensure that the progressive perspective is being heard and our educators, children, and families are prioritized.
— Team Bowman
