The following article celebrates TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK and honors teachers who have, and are, Making a Difference in the lives of students all over the world. It is for Mr. Paul Reed, who told me when I was a sixth grader, "I believe in you! You have so much promise." It is for Mr. Bob Lark, an eighth grade teacher who taught me to infuse my life with action and not to wait for things to happen. It is for Mrs. Jenny Mariacher, my sophomore English teacher, who always grinned when my verbs and nouns didn't agree in a sentence, and yet in spite of my grammatical deficiencies petitioned for me to emcee my senior class banquet (my first official speaking engagement). This exposé is for every teacher who made an indelible inscription in my life.

Teacher Appreciation Week is about Dr. Darrin Hartness, whose uncompromising principles made the impossible achievable. To my stepson Adam Cloer and his fiancé Yvette Hübner, who are teachers in Germany and inspire students from all over the world to believe in themselves and turn negatives into positives. It is for every teacher who has taught us to be strong and courageous and realize that you can do anything you put your mind to and make your dreams come true!




Thank You for MAKING A DIFFERENCE

The song "How Do You Like Me Now" was co-written and recorded by American country music artist Toby Keith . It released in November 1999 as the second single and title from his album of the same name . Keith wrote it with Chuck Cannon . Keith discussed the inspiration for the song on his website in 2000. "Initially, I said, 'Here's my title: "You Never Loved Me Before, So How Do You Like Me Now?'" It's one of my catch phrases. A lot of people become successful after they've been told they won't ever be, so people can relate to this. It can be about an old flame or a boss or a teacher -- whatever it means to each individual. It was a fun song to write."

For me, the song takes on more than one meaning. It is a summation of where I've been, what I've done and who I am today. It is a reminder that while a few people who crossed my path tried to impede my dreams, others were there to inspire and encourage me. This week made me recall how thankful I am for the unflinching support I received from teachers who reassured me to strive to be the best and, equally as important, just be me.


Class Clown

As I reminisce, for me, school was about being funny, theatrical and larger than life. Being the center of attention felt good, and when it was for the right reasons, some teachers (again, thank you, Mr. Lark) appreciated my sense of humor. However, as I grew older, I began to realize that playing the class clown was actually a coping strategy to make up for my weaknesses. For the most part, it created positive reinforcement, and when my timing was right, it actually proved to be a social asset. However, not every teacher appreciated my behavior, and some went so far as to infer that my future would not be very productive.

Before Toby Keith and Chuck Cannon composed the phrase "I only wanted to get your attention" in the above-mentioned hit song, I was living it. Wonderfully, every teacher who truly cared about me and took the time to understand me recognized my attention-seeking conduct was directly proportionate to my personal struggles, frailties and imposed boundaries. These teachers would prove not only invaluable to me, but later in life I would realize that my success was equivalent to the influence and part they played during my formidable years as a student.


You'll Never

I still remember it like it was yesterday. With only two weeks of school remaining my senior year, my creative writing teacher gave back our final exam composition. When I saw the D+, I was devastated. While it would still permit my overall grade to be a B for the class, it was the remark she made when I questioned the grade that I will always remember. "Writing isn't for everyone. You'll find something that you're good at other than being the class clown. I'm not sure what you will end up doing, but I am almost certain you'll never be a writer."

If you have ever heard me present my keynote speech Making a Difference, then you are aware that I ask an important question at the very beginning. I always solicit a response to the question, "If you listed five people who have made the biggest difference in your life, who would be on your list?" Inevitably, someone will ask, "Do they need to be positive?" Absolutely not! Some of our greatest influences are a result of someone judging us unfairly and expressing those two words, "You'll never!"

I am inclined to believe those educators are in the minority. Therefore, I am so appreciative for teachers who look beyond the noticeable and continually see the conceivable. 


You Have So Much Promise

When you are sitting in the principal's office, and all you can think about is the impending phone call to your mother for disrupting the class, you are either scared or you don't care. I was a frustrated sixth grader who believed that life hadn't dealt me the same cards my classmates and neighbors were given. I didn't care!

My sixth grade teacher, Mr. Paul Reed, is one of the five people on my list who made the biggest difference in my life. A teacher who cheered me, moved me and talked to me when everyone else yelled at me. He was more than a teacher. He was a person who helped show me the way, taught me a treasured lesson about not quitting and helped me through some challenging times as a young adolescent. He shaped my mind, lovingly reminded me what was right and wrong, and fortunately taught more than social studies. He was a teacher who believed one person could change the lives of millions. He was right! He did!

Thank you for always believing in me and reminding me more than once that I had so much promise. Thank you for being the bridge over troubled water and the bridge to my dreams. Thank you for being a teacher! I hope you are as proud of me as I am proud of you.

 
Best,

Steve