Heroes in the Classroom

When American Profile asked readers to tell us about teachers who changed their lives, we were deluged with wonderful letters such as these. We offer them in honor of all teachers everywhere, in and out of the classroom. Thank you, America, for encouraging curiosity, and for helping our children to value themselves.

—The editors

Spiritual awakening

Darla Plice, my high school physical education teacher, knew I enjoyed playing softball and asked me if I’d be interested in playing for her church’s women’s league.

One requirement was to attend church at least once a week—so I started going. This wasn’t something I did regularly growing up.

The softball season ended, and I no longer was required to attend church, but I found myself wanting to go each week. After awhile, I wanted to know more about Jesus and how I could have him in my life. Darla never seemed too busy to answer my questions.

On Jan. 3, 1989, I made the most important decision of my life and asked Jesus into my heart. Darla is an important part of who I am today, and I feel very blessed to know her and call her my friend.

Lisa Hershey
Ashland, Ohio

Love of teaching

When my daughter, Morgan, was in second grade at Tylertown Primary School, we had a teacher about whom words cannot say enough: Mrs. Lynn Pigott. Morgan had a little trouble with some schoolwork, and Mrs. Pigott gave up her afternoons to tutor Morgan for a few hours. She would not accept payment.

Not only did she do this for my child, but for others who needed help, because she loves all of her children. This lady is all smiles all the time. Never will you hear a negative word from her. You walk into her classroom, and it’s a happy attitude from everyone.

She’s a teacher, and she wants her kids to learn.

Rhonda Knight
Tylertown, Miss.

Stay in school

As a boy, I worked with my father on Model Ts, Model As, bicycles, tractors—anything that required a wrench—in his blacksmith shop and garage. In the eighth grade, my teacher, Mrs. Mora Boone, stood in front of the class and announced, “If I ever took a trip around the world, I would take (Henry) with me as my mechanic.”

My father died when I was 15, and I, being the oldest boy, was about to quit school in Beasley, Texas, and go to work in the gas station to help support my mother and the younger children. Mrs. Boone and her husband, the school principal and superintendent, gave me a maintenance job at the school, so I stayed to graduate.

Mrs. Boone’s faith in me influenced my joining the Air Force and completing 33 missions in a B24 bomber as a flight engineer and top turret gunner during World War II. Back in the United States, I continued on in my own business—I had a diesel service and gas station, garage, and towing service in Arizona and Texas.

Mr. and Mrs. Boone both influenced many lives during their years at Beasley.

Henry W. Ellison
Camp Verde, Ariz.

Overcoming challenges

During my first semester in college, I was somewhat timid and reluctant to participate in class because of hearing limitations that slightly impaired my speech, but Professor Pamela Small expected no less from me. She created an atmosphere in that classroom that turned my life around. She made learning fun and exciting. I became eager to share my thoughts and ideas, not only with this class but several organizations I joined.

Professor Small nurtured my spirit and built my character by reinforcing high standards, morals, and values. She prepared me for life by hiring me as a work-study student, teaching me work ethics and leadership skills.

“Disabilities are only as limited as you make them,” she would say when new challenges arose. She helped awaken a new level of confidence within me. Because of her support, godliness, availability, and mentorship, I have learned how to successfully pursue my dreams and overcome life’s challenges.

Qwanetra Butler
Columbia, S.C.

Healing words

Growing up in a small town, with just six students in my class, I was intimidated by students from larger high schools, where they surely were receiving a more enriching education.

I unexpectedly was invited to participate in an outreach program for potential college students during the summer of my junior year.

Dr. James White’s botany class beckoned to my awakening interest in science. But surrounded by seasoned alumni from the envied schools, I hung my head, trembling. Somehow, I continued to find just enough courage to return to the next class.

Then Dr. White motioned for me to stay after class one day. I panicked, afraid that he would ask me to leave his class. My small school background obviously had betrayed me. Much to my surprise, Dr. White, in a comfortable fatherly tone, relayed how, in his entire teaching career, he never had a student give so much of himself to one of his classes. He wondered whether I ever had considered a career in medicine.

Thanks to Dr. James White, from that day forward, I never doubted but that I would be a physician.

Dr. J. Colton Bradshaw
Mount Pleasant, Texas

Most likely to succeed

I was very shy and worked hard for good grades at Dansville (N.Y.) Central High School. Our family was poor and lived far out in the country, so I couldn’t participate in after-school activities. I had no self-confidence—and no plans after graduation.

Many of my classmates received awards at the graduation ceremony, and I, knowing I would receive nothing, was happy for them. But when the award for “most likely to succeed” in the business field was announced, they said my name. I couldn’t believe it. Why were they saying my name?

The kids around me said, “Shirley, go up for your award.” I couldn’t move, my legs were shaking, and my head was whirling. I didn’t think the teachers even knew I was in class each day. I went forward for my award as everyone applauded.

From that moment on, I was determined to show the world that I deserved that award. I felt in my heart, as I later learned, that Mrs. Mary Ellen Rauber, who taught secretarial practice and shorthand, was responsible for my receiving this award. She had seen potential in me, and I’m eternally grateful to her.

I went on to work at the elementary school, as secretary and other positions, for 35 years. Thanks to Mrs. Rauber and what she saw in me, I’ve had a great career. She changed my life. She gave me confidence.

Shirley White Palmer
Dansville, N.Y.

Striding to success

In middle school, students venture out and find themselves by hanging out with different cliques or joining different activities. I found myself in track, running, with the help of Mr. David Oertner.

At practices, I often would want to quit, but he would tell me, “You have the figure of a great runner. I see it, and it’s up to you to see it,” and it made me want to get out and run.

My first year in cross-country was a good year but my sophomore year was terrific—I took eighth place in the league meet and 19th place in the district meet, which qualified me for state. That was a huge accomplishment, and it makes me want to work harder to improve for this year.

Mr. Oertner has helped me find the light in myself. I believe in others and myself, and I think that with work everyone will succeed at all they do.

Tyisha Carpenter
Northern Lehigh High School
Slatington, Pa.

first appeared: 8/11/2002