A Special Teacher Who Helped to Change My Life Forever

I separated from the United States Air Force on April 30, 1983, and began college classes at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, that summer of 1983. I pursued my nursing degree with vengea

I separated from the United States Air Force on April 30, 1983, and began college classes at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska, that summer of 1983. I pursued my nursing degree with vengeance, completing it in grand style with the graduating class of May 1986 along with a multitude of friends and fellow students. Of all my college and university professors, Dr. Joan Cook-Zimmern had the most profound effect upon me and she provided me with the stimulus to pursue my education beyond what the College of St. Mary could provide. Dr. Cook-Zimmern taught several classes among which was the introduction to sociology class. In spite of teaching the same classes year in and year out, she infused life into each class she was responsible for, never seemingly growing tired of her subject matter or creating a sense of doldrums in her students fulfilling such basic requirements in their core curriculum. Although I excelled in her class, yet beyond claiming an "A" in her class, she taught all of us students (and especially me) to think on our own two feet. One day after class she pulled me aside and divulged that she considered me one of her most "unusual" students who apparently thought for herself and projected a certain sort of fortitude and chutzpah towards walking a different road towards success. In my younger years I don't believe that being "unusual" would have been so much of a tribute and, even then, having been singled out by Dr. Cook-Zimmern I'm not absolutely sure whether I viewed her perspective of me as wholly complimentary yet as the years went by I remained haunted by her words. As I aged and gained a wider variety of life's experiences, I realized that "unusual" takes on an array of meanings and conjectures which can be interpreted in diverse ways. After completing my nursing education and sitting for state boards, I moved south to Texas where I decided to add an additional degree in anthropology to my resume' as that particular field interested me far more than nursing ever did. I am exceedingly thankful to Professor Cook-Zimmern for instilling in me the ability to see myself far beyond just the appendage of what other people's perception of me is and to her teachings of striving to be our own person for she motivated me far beyond any other instructor to follow my dreams and express my opinions in a realistic, concise manner. Hooray to Professor Cook-Zimmern for I owe her a great deal in establishing the solid foundation of whom I am and for the individual whom I strive to become. Her current address, the last I know of, is: Joan Cook-Zimmern; 5725 N. 81^st St.; Omaha, Nebraska 68134; and her phone number is: 402-572-7119.

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