If most of us think back, whether it be to
elementary school, high school,
or college, we will remember a teacher that affected our lives forever.
They were the ones that encouraged us with a smile and a helping hand.
They
were the ones who instilled the confidence in us that we could accomplish
whatever we wanted, as long as we kept trying. They were the ones who
helped
make learning fun, making school something we anticipated, not dreaded.
A few weeks ago, the Gazette published a story on the growing support
for the
Cathy Kvien Family Reading Chair, a project put together by friends
and
colleagues of Kvien. Kvien passed away earlier this year after battling
cancer.
Upon reading the story, someone in the Tift
County community felt the need to
honor a teacher that had touched their lives. Anonymously, someone
donated
$10,000 to the Tift County Foundation for Educational Excellence to
be used
in any way needed. The donation was made in honor of a teacher at Charles
Spencer Elementary.
The size of the donation was grand and will
be put to good use in our county,
funding programs to help educators educate. But even greater is the
gesture.
That someone would think enough of a teacher that helped them along
the way
to do something in return is remarkable.
We know there are many teachers worthy if this
kind of tribute. Every day,
our local teachers help mold our young people into better listeners,
better
thinkers, better learners. Oftentimes, we only chastise them for problems
we
see without congratulating them for the all-important work they do.
There’s no better way to do that than the avenue chosen by this anonymous
donor. If everyone thought back and chose a teacher that in some way
made
them see the bigger picture as a student and donated as little as $10,
thousands of future students would be able to take advantage.
Our hats are off to the anonymous donor and to the teacher honored
with the
donation. The gesture was thoughtful but the work and attitude of the
deserving teacher is certainly worth it. And we know there are others
just
as deserving. |
