Day Ten

Teachers have always been very important to me. Even since I was a little girl. In kindergarten, Mrs. Friday would carry me when my juvenile arthritis made it too hard to walk. In elementary school, they saw what was special in me, saw where I needed to go and made sure that I got there. Mrs. Amos rocked me in the principal's office through that tough year. In the 5th grade, when I decided on the day of the spelling be to study with some boys and eventually announced to them I would win that afternoon. I did. In front of the whole school and during that standing ovation, I remember Mrs. Moore's face -- smiling, beaming, and she was clapping. I remember Mrs. Housh and Mrs. Shannon encouraging me, leading me to where I needed to be in the future, so that I wouldn't fall between the cracks of average and getting by. At WJC, in Jr. High, I learned more than I ever did in high school. A team. A family. I had the same teachers there for three years. Eleven years after graduating I still found myself, discussing writing and having tea with my favorite English teacher. She was there through the "dark and bright red" and she still reads my work. The blessings have continued to flow through high school, Montevallo and now UAB. Teachers that have taught me much more than words on a page. Friends that have encouraged me from stepping stone to stepping stone, never letting me forget to dream or rushing to support my "project of the week." Teachers that have become like family. Some who were here for a season, but I can look back and map out that tapestry of people that was put into place just for me and for this time. 

I value teachers in great ways. Teachers in school, mentors and people who have discipled me. I have learned to walk on my own while appreciating that seed of self worth, of knowledge, or creativity they have planted in me. In turn, I am able to sow it in others. 

These are people that have seen my differences and loved them. At times, they loved the things about me until I could love them for myself. Until I could own the things I wasn't quite able to see in the mirror. The quirks, talents and differences that make me, Amanda. I included a clip below of a movie I really love. I love the honesty in this seen, the beauty of it. I think if I ever taught in the school system, in a classroom I would love to be a lot like Mrs. Dodger. Here she is talking to Phoebe about all things that make her different from the "awful normals," and how these are things she will come to appreciate in herself. What makes you different? What are some quirks specific to you? Relish in them, swim in them, immerse yourself. You're beautiful. Accept yourself for who you are. Give to someone that which only you have been put on this earth to give. Teach.