There are a handful of teachers who made a lasting impression on my formative years ... these are my superheroes!
Do you know that in the United States, each state determines the requirements for getting a license to teach in public schools? And, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are 1.4 million elementary school teachers, 600,000 middle school teachers, and 1 million secondary school teachers employed in the United States! That's a lot of teachers across all the states. Just how many of them make lasting impressions on their students ... for the GOOD???
Unlike a lot of my peers, I attended quite a few different schools while growing up and didn't have the pleasure of keeping touch with grade school friends. Junior High School was probably the toughest times in that I attended Roehm J.H.S., Middleburg Heights J.H.S., Newton D. Baker J.H.S. and finally Brunswick H.S.
To me, along my travels through these schools, I found some incredibly kind and caring teachers who made a lasting impression on me. This lens is dedicated to My Teachers Who Mentored Me ... they are forever My Superheroes!
An Apple for the #1 Teachers
What is a teacher?
In education, a teacher is one who helps students or pupils, often in a school, as well as in a family, religious or community setting. A teacher is an acknowledged guide or helper in processes of learning. A teacher's role may vary between cultures. Academic subjects are emphasized in many societies, but a teacher's duties may include instruction in craftsmanship or vocational training, spirituality, civics, community roles, or life skills. In modern schools and most Category: wiktionary - :Contemporary|contemporary occidental societies, where scientific pedagogy is practiced, the teacher is defined as a specialized profession on the same level as many other professions.
My Teachers Who Mentored Me -- My Superheroes
Some of the most incredible people I've met along the way ...
- Mr. Duval -- My science teacher at Roehm J.H.S. Ah, I remember that he was a very attractive science teacher as well as an engaging instructor. His students actually cared about him especially when we found out that he was dating Ms. Cotton. I wonder what they are up to today?
- Ms. Hartford -- My math teacher at Roehm J.H.S. You know, I always wondered about what had HAPPENED to you before you became my teacher. We students were always too polite to ask, but we did notice your artificial leg and incomplete fingers. Whatever hardship you faced, you never let it detract from being that wonderful teacher who cared so lovingly for her students.
- Mrs. LeMasters -- My German language teacher at Middleburg Heights J.H.S. You were probably the prettiest teacher I think I've ever had. I thought you were more like a movie star. We were surely lucky to have your calibre of an instructor. You know, I still wonder about those umlauts though!
- Ms. Bickimer -- My math teacher at Newton D. Baker J.H.S. OMG, you have no idea how I just didn't understand square roots at first and you still asked me to be your helper in grading tests. I remember that really cool desk set that you gave me at the end of the year for being your assistant.
What is a mentor?
In Greek mythology, Mentor (Greek: ?????? / Mént?r)Online Etymology Dictionary - Mentor was the son of Alcumus and, in his old age, a friend of Odysseus. When Odysseus left for the Trojan War he placed Mentor in charge of his son, Telemachus, and of his palace. When Athena visited Telemachus she took the disguise of Mentor to hide herself from the suitors of Telemachus' mother Penelope.Homer. Odyssey, Book II, Lines 255 and 268. As Mentor, the goddess encourages Telemachus to stand up against the suitors and to go abroad in order to learn out about his father.
When Odysseus returns to Ithaca, Athena (in the form of Mentor) takes the form of a swallow and the suitors' arrows have no effect on him.
The student of a mentor is called a protégé or mentoree.
Mentorship -- What this world needs MORE of!
The roots of the practice are lost in antiquity.
Mentorship refers to a developmental relationship between a more experienced person to help a less experienced person referred to as a protégé, apprentice, mentee, or (person) being mentored develop in a specified capacity.
The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships
by Lois J. Zachary
The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships
Amazon Price: $28.27 (as of 10/11/2008)
List Price: $32.00
"The greatest gift one can give, other than love, is to help another learn! The Mentor's Guide has made that gift-giving compelling, comfortable, and competent. Every leader who cares about nurturing talent and facilitating excellence will find this book a joy to read and a jewel to share." (Chip R. Bell, author of Managers as Mentors)
"Life is an adventure and The Mentor's Guide generates excitement and energy for the journey. Full of pragmatic, comprehensive ideas for those whose passion is developing leaders, it is guaranteed to be all you will need to cultivate a fruitful and fun mentoring journey. The adventure begins and ends within these pages!" (Carrole A. Wolin, President, National Institute for Leadership Development)
Frederick Roehm Middle School -- Berea, Ohio
First Year Teacher's Survival Guide: Ready-To-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities For Meeting The Challenges Of Each School Day (
by Julia G. Thompson
First Year Teacher's Survival Guide: Ready-To-Use Strategies, Tools & Activities For Meeting The Challenges Of Each School Day (J-B Ed:Survival Guides)
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 10/11/2008)
The best-selling First Year Teacher's Survival Kit gives new teachers a wide variety of tested strategies, activities, and tools for creating a positive and dynamic learning environment while meeting the challenges of each school day. Packed with valuable tips, the book helps new teachers with everything from becoming effective team players and connecting with students to handling behavior problems and working within diverse classrooms.
The new edition is fully revised and updated to cover changes in the K-12 classroom over the past five years.
Newton D. Baker -- Cleveland, Ohio
101 "Answers" for New Teachers & Their Mentors: Effective Teaching Tips for Daily Classroom Use
by Annette L. Breaux
101 "Answers" for New Teachers & Their Mentors: Effective Teaching Tips for Daily Classroom Use
Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 10/11/2008)
Hands down, the best book for teachers on the market. Very practical and extremely user-friendly. I ordered a copy for all of my teachers - not just the new ones and mentors. The `Answers' in this book are for EVERYONE.
I like this book because I feel it is very important for all teachers, whether or not they are mentors or beginners, to remember what it is like to be a new teacher. I think that everyone can benefit from being reminded how to act appropriately with their students and their fellow teachers. The tips presented in the book are easily accessible and easily implemented.
Middleburg Heights J.H.S. is now Big Creek Elementary!
What Great Teachers Do Differently: Fourteen Things That Matter Most
by Todd Whitaker
What Great Teachers Do Differently: Fourteen Things That Matter Most
Amazon Price: $26.95 (as of 10/11/2008)
This book describes the beliefs, behaviors, attitudes, and interactions that form the fabric of life in our best classrooms and schools. It focuses on the specific things that great teachers do ... that others do not.
It answers these essential questions:
- Is it high expectations for students that matter?
- How do great teachers respond when students misbehave?
- Do great teachers filter differently than their peers?
- How do the best teachers approach standardized testing?
Classmates -- Hook up with former classmates!
- Middleburg Heights J.H.S.
- 139 alumni from Middleburg Heights Junior High School in Middleburg heights, OH are already here!
- Newton D. Baker J.H.S.
- Newton D. Baker Junior High School has 186 members listed.
- Roehm Middle School
- 383 alumni from Roehm Middle School in Berea, OH are already here!
Teachers leave lasting impressions on their students ...
For example, my husband!
Yes, my husband was a teacher before his professional career as a chemist. He taught science for ten years to students in grades 10 through 12. I know that when I look at pictures of him from way back then, he has changed considerably ... you know a lot more gray hair and all.
However, on more than one occasion, we have been out and about; e.g., at a consignment shop in San Marco and at a restaurant on the river when former students have approached him asking, "Aren't you Mr. B. from Fletcher?" You see, he is one of those teachers who made a lasting impression on his students that they can pick him out of a crowd today and WANT to talk with him!
Cool Resources for and about Teachers
- Apples 4 the Teacher
- A fun educational website for teachers, parents, and kids.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics
- Teachers-Preschool, Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary.
- Sites for Teachers
- Hundreds of educational websites rated by popularity.
Inspirational books for teachers
Teachers and More Teachers Photos
Chani, Leylea and Os...
Chani, Leylea and Os...
Chani, Leylea and Os...
Profesorado
Profesorado
Parkside-3
Parkside-4
Parkside-5
Parkside-1
Parkside-K
Dancing snd singing
Playing music
Is your teacher(s) your superhero too?
If you have any suggestions
for this page
I'm looking for suggestions for more good articles, photos, videos, blog posts, etc about this person. Think of this like the "External Resources" part of a Wikipedia page. What references would you add about my superhero?
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Evelyn_Saenz
What a wonderful tribute you have made to the very special Teachers in your life. Posted October 03, 2008 |
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Comfortdoc
Thank you for adding your tribute to teachers to the SuperHero Group. Helped to confirm that I am probably making more of a difference these days teaching College Students than I would if I was still in clinical practice. Posted June 22, 2008 |
P.S. I made this lens for the Squidoo Superheroes Project
I was invited to participate in the Squidoo Superhero Project, making 5 lenses in 2 weeks about the people who have inspired me, mentored me, changed the way I look at the world. The people I just want to say a big loud public THANKS to.If you buy anything from this page, you'll automatically (for free, of course) be sending a royalty straight to the Squidoo Charity Fund, which pays out to nonprofits like JDRF and Room to Read and Donors Choose every month.
Shhh... Follow the Squidoo Superheroes Blog!
For tips on making your own Superhero lenses for charity.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byCheck out these other Superhero lenses!
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Howard Schiffer
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Introducing my superhero... Howard Schiffer has always been passionate about nutrition. For over 30 years he has helped to develop and sell a number of health food items. In 1994, his priorities changed when Southern California was struck by the No...
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Jacqueline Novogratz
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As part of her Squidoo Superheroes project for charity, Anne Reidy asked me to profile someone who inspires, who leads, who makes a difference. This was a surprisingly easy choice. The Acumen Fund is patient capital. They invest money in companies r...
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Julia Nagy -- My Grandmother, Namesake and Superhero
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Yes, thinking about the 'superheroes' in my life, the very first person that comes to mind is my grandmother! First of all, my grandmother was my namesake -- I was named in honor of my grandmother! And, I can't think of a day that goes by that I do N...
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Dr. Randy Pausch - A Superhero
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Dr. Randy Pausch is a living inspiration. Diagnosed with metastatic pancreatic cancer in 2006, he has gone on to show people how to continue *living* even after getting the diagnosis of a terminal illness. For his head-on, straight-forward, entertai...
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Annie Lennox: Humanitarian & Hero!
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I was 13 years old when I heard "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) for the first time. Needless to say I was hooked on the Eurythmics from that day forward. Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart revolutionized the world of music with their "synthpop" sound. M...
(World Teacher's Day is October 5, 2008)
THANK YOU!
Mr. Duval, Ms. Hartford,
Mrs. LeMasters, and Ms. Bickimer!
Creative Commons License
Do Squidoo, But Don't Plagiarize ...
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.
Plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work ... it is just NOT cool so don't do it!
