The Legacy of Teachers

From the Tip of My Pen - A Writer’s Tip of the Month – November 2007

by Fran Stewart

The Legacy of Teachers

A year ago, in October of 1996, I started my keynote address to the Georgia Council of Teachers of English by singing “Heaven, I’m in heaven . . .” I’ve never been intimidated about speaking to large groups, even though for most people, fear of public speaking is even greater than their fear of dying. And those 350 teachers? I loved it. My speech at the GCTE’s annual convention was a recounting of the three English teachers who changed my life. Without those three blessed people, I would not be the person I am, the writer I am, today. They led me into a wonder world of books, and they insisted that I take responsibility for my actions; they encouraged me, and they made me hone my writing skills, because they would not accept anything less than my best effort.

Last month, on a book tour in Colorado, I was invited to speak to a much smaller, but equally important, group of teachers – the middle school and high school teachers in the small town of Florence. Listening to their comments afterwards, about how much they appreciated hearing someone acknowledge the gift that teachers give on a daily basis, made me very glad that I’d taken the time years ago to write thank-you notes to the teachers who had influenced me. The thank-you notes I received in return made it worth while. Now that I’m old enough that most of my teachers have left this earth, I’m doubly glad I took the time.

I’d like to encourage you to sit down right now and pen a note to a teacher who made a positive difference in your life. You see, if it weren’t for that teacher, you might never have discovered the breadth and depth of richness experience that a world of reading could bring to you. If it weren’t for that teacher, you might not be a writer today.

Do it now, before it’s too late.