The joy of having a student catch on to a mathematical concept. The hope that, along the way, I have influenced some young people by opening their eyes to new ideas and by helping them to overcome math anxiety. The opportunity to lend a sympathetic ear to a problem and offer a word of encouragement or advice. The prayer that they have experienced the love of Christ through me. This is why I teach.
Every school year is a kind of clean slate.
When I completed the teacher education program at Abilene Christian University in 1953, I left Abilene to go home to Denver, Colo., to begin a lifelong career as a teacher. I was confident I had something to teach my junior high English students, and I felt secure in my repertoire of teaching skills. I had a love of English, and I had a great reserve of energy and motivation and an affinity for young people. This foundation formed the bedrock of my newly chosen career. There have been many challenges, of course, but most of all, there have been myriad joys to remember with pride.