Teacher Tribute!

ELEMENTARY

• To Mrs. Susan Fowler (1st grade), who taught me to read by sounding out words using phonograms 
• To Mrs. Laura Moore (2nd grade), who taught addition and subtraction and first showed us how to write in cursive
• To Miss Missy Hall (3rd grade), who introduced us to fun new songs each week and tricked us into memorizing important facts through daily repetition ;)
• To Mrs. Linda Sawyer (4th grade), who made learning fun, and who praised and celebrated my rough, beginner-level calligraphy
• To Miss Jill White (5th grade), who expressively read to us after recess every day just for fun and helped me learn to love books and listening, and who chose me to lead a class play on Hans Brinker
• To Miss Susan Hanson (6th grade), who chose me for the Spelling Bee because she knew it would keep me engaged at CHA in the middle of a hard year...

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HIGH SCHOOL

• To Mr. Ralph Bullard (CHA Principal and 7th grade Government teacher), who emphasized the critical importance of self-government and first explained the concept of tacit consent
• To Mr. Doug Law (7th Grade Bible), who introduced some new Biblical concepts and taught about the role of the Holy Spirit
• To Coach Mark Madewell (Volleyball Coach and Biology/Anatomy teacher), who cared about individual students and made learning science fun
• To Mrs. Debi Young (Office Secretary), who made CHA more pleasant by being warm and fun and friendly
• To Coach Aaron Ferguson (Volleyball Coach and American History teacher), whose love of history made it much more interesting to me
• To Mr. Josh Bullard (Pre-Calculus, Bible), who is completely brilliant, but also kind and approachable and capable of explaining major concepts in a way that made sense
• To Mrs. Rebecca Steelman (Debate), who encouraged us to write and share our personal opinions about various topics in a daily segment she called "Jot Spot," and who led our Mock Trial teams in fun competitions
• To Mr. Jack Clay (Choir, Bible, Student Council, Senior Trip), who coordinated three great, memorable trips (choir tour and two Boston trips)
• To Miss Laura Bower (English and Literature), who furthered my love of English, and who helped every Senior year student compile their birth-through-Senior-year autobiography...

(Yes, that was my high school English teacher's name, and we called her class the "Bower Power Hour!"  Super ironic that the second Laura Bower I have known was also an English major.)  

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COLLEGE

• To Dr. Randall Ridenour (OBU, Philosophy), who encouraged us to question things and think more deeply
• Professor James Hochtritt (Rose State, Modern History), who was hilarious and fun, who filled in the gaps and taught the fascinating portions of history where my CHA education fell short
• To Gail Austin (Rose State, Court Reporting), who helped me get started in a new career direction and loaned us practice books that helped me move through their program faster
• To Professor Alissa Drescher (SNU, Death, Dying, and Grief), who taught me a lot about caring for and comforting those who are grieving
• To Dr. David Frisbe (SNU, Family Dynamics and Structure), whose strong praise and encouragement and belief in me strengthened my sense of purpose...

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OTHER

• To Mrs. Emily Robinson (Beginner Piano), who taught me the basics and how to read music
• To Mr. Leon Whitcell (Piano), who patiently worked with me as I learned to play the songs I loved (Amazing Grace, Valse Semplice, Pachelbel Canon, etc.)
• To Sheri Laster (FSBC Sunday School), who made the Bible come to life and whose family and adoption story inspired me
• To Karli, Jayme, Emily, Jessie, Michael, Audrey, Alex, etc. (Friends & Cousins who are Teachers), who make sacrifices and work hard because they care about their students
• To my Aunt, LaJo O'Brien (Special Education and Individual Tutoring), who does an awesome job making learning fun and building up the self-worth and identity of her students!
• And to my Mom (8th Grade Homeschool teacher, Pre-K through Senior year homework help, Spelling Bee practice, Mock Trial writing help, Court Reporting practice, Proofreader of college papers, etc.), who cared enough to work with me every night and help me learn and understand and memorize and do hard things and feel confident all along the way...

These are just a few of the many wonderful teachers who have had an influence on my life through the years! THANK YOU!! ❤

Oklahoma's teachers are in the news these days, fighting for our state to prioritize the future through education funding and to treat them more fairly. I went to a private school where the teachers actually made even less than the Oklahoma average (which is the very lowest teacher salary in the entire country). Something clearly needs to change!

We tend to take basic education for granted in America, but it is an amazing privilege and a huge blessing to be grateful for.  I've seen a lot of arrogant, condescending, hateful comments directed at teachers on Facebook lately, and it's not okay.  I'm so thankful for all the teachers who genuinely care enough to make a lasting, positive difference in the lives of their students!! Who dedicate their lives to serving and helping others, whose vital job is often difficult and underappreciated, who put in a lot of unpaid overtime working patiently to help their students succeed!  I applaud and support them, and I hope our legislature makes a sincere effort to do the same! ❤