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Were you fortunate enough to have had a very special teacher when you were growing up? Someone who had an amazingly positive impact on your development? A teacher who was so much more than you could ever have imagined? If you did, and I bet you did, I suspect you think back fondly on your time together – and have deep appreciation for the care and devotion of that special person in your life.
I know that I was blessed on the first day of school in Newport, New Hampshire to have as my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Stearns. I absolutely adored her – as did every child in our small class. I had so much admiration for her that even after I had moved on to the second grade and beyond, each year I convinced my parents to go with me to her house just before Christmas and deliver her a present. And I was always touched that she would have a present for me. She would always give me a Hardy Boys book that she would retrieve for me from upstairs. I was so impressed that she had remembered to get a present ‘just for me.’ It was only years later that I realized she had a whole slew of Hardy Boys books specially wrapped for any current or former student – who might just have happened to come by. That’s how much she cared.
At Newport High School, we also had such a wonderful group of dedicated teachers. Perhaps you did at your high school as well. Many of our teachers also doubled as coaches, advisors to clubs and other extracurricular activities. I remember Bill and Calista Thurlow as true models of commitment and passion – investing their energies – pretty much around the clock – with coaching, sports and more – for the students that they taught and cared for.
And it’s heartening to know that the baton has been passed at Newport High School to yet another cadre of dedicated teachers. In fact, last month I had occasion to be attending an event at the school and was fortunate to catch up with one such teacher. Tim Spanos. Tim and the entire Spanos family have been leaders in Newport for generations. Also, very close family friends of mine while growing up. So, it was truly exhilarating to see Tim at the high school - passing knowledge along to Newport’s leaders of the future – committed to the community he loves. In fact, it’s no surprise that as such a caring and devoted teacher, Tim was selected as Newport’s Citizen of the Year this past year.
When you look across America and think about the next generation, the truth is that much of our future is being shaped by our teachers. Increasingly, parents and students are being given more choice in their schools, in their curriculum and importantly, with regards to their teachers as well. In addition to public schools, there are now a growing number of charter schools, private alternatives, and increasingly homeschooling options. While it’s wonderful to see the array of choices now available – and for students to have the opportunity to select the option that will be best for them – one thing will hold true no matter what. We will always be grateful for the wonderful teachers who have helped shape our lives and guide our future. Meanwhile, we look forward to the next generation of teachers who have it in their power to continue this wonderful tradition.
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