January 21

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. --Nelson Mandela. I am forever grateful to have been a teacher, the daughter and niece of teachers, a sister of a teacher, the mother of a teacher, and an aunt of two teachers. I have a treasure chest of friends who teach. I value the mark an effective, inspiring teacher has on a student. It is truly a priceless gift but unfortunately one that is not valued in our society. It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber.--Robert Fulghum.

I had the pleasure of taking our daughter, Sara, lunch last week at her school. Her school is inviting. This image is the poster she made to welcome each student as they enter the classroom. I enjoy being in her classroom because it is a wonderful environment for learning. The students feel safe to learn, share, engage, practice, fail, succeed because of her example and the tone she sets for her classroom.

An inspiring teacher is a precious gift . So thank you Sara, Kasey, Jackie and to all my friends still involved in teaching. You are changing the world.

My teacher thought I was smarter than I was; so I was. --six year old student.

Peace.