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Journalist Charles Kuralt once said, "Good teachers know how to bring
out the best in students."
I have been out of high school for eight years and out of college for three,
but there are still teachers I remember from all aspects of my schooling,
teachers that I believed brought out the best in me as well as others.
I attended the majority of my elementary school years at Westview Elementary
School in Platteville. I wrote a lot of poetry and my third grade
teacher, Mrs. Eberlein, encouraged me to enter a poem about Halloween into
a poetry contest. I still have the book with my poem printed in it, the page
bookmarked so I know exactly where to find it.
My family moved to Dodgeville at the end of fourth grade, and I was very
scared to make new friends and adjust. I rode the bus to Ridgeway for a year,
and the teachers made me feel very welcome.
Once I reached Dodgeville Middle School, I took a liking to Mrs. Thuli's
art class. With her help, I was able to gain strengths in drawing, and was
even selected as the winner of a contest where students had to draw a plant
and then using the plant's characteristics, create a design that would reflect
the plant in a stained glass window. I also remember the nights I spent on
my "Permanent Art Collection" piece in Mrs. Thuli's art room. I finally got
to hang it up in my apartment after begging Mom to let me have it back!
I remember complaining because I got put on the "newspaper" for the
Mock Trial in eighth grade. When I asked Mr. Storkson why I didn't get to
be witness or be on the jury like I wanted, he simply stated that he thought
the newspaper needed people like me. Sometimes I still wonder if he's right.
As I continued my schooling at Dodgeville High School, I enjoyed classes
with Mrs. Kopmeier. I took AP Art and studied architecture, researching and
drawing buildings from all over the world. My English classes with Mr.
Knoedler made me a better writer and a better listener, and Mr. Tank's Advanced
History class sharpened my note taking skills. I graduated with honors,
and although I didn't think much of it on graduation day, I should thank
all the teachers who brought out the best in me.
Two of my friends from high school, Maggie (Massey) Leonhardt and
Emily Neal, have gone on to become teachers and in covering school board
meetings, I have come to have an even greater appreciation for teachers.
Your patience, kindness and willingness to teach others is truly special.
This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. Take a moment to reflect on
those teachers who brought out the best in you.