I was lucky to have a lot of great teachers growing up. I went to a very small, Christian school ran by the church I grew up in. I had a small circle of the same teachers on and off for all my schooling. I spent a lot of time with one teacher, Mrs. Schromm, through out elementary and middle school. She was my main teacher in junior high. She definitely stands above the rest.
The thing I remember most about her was how she inspired us to not just memorize facts, but to love learning. Rather than merely teach us what we needed to know, she taught us how to learn. She modeled this for us by teaching us subjects that she herself had no specialties in. We went through a Spanish program together, and she took us through a special unit on drawing. I learned a LOT in both those classes, because it showed me that I could learn whatever I put my mind to. I didn't need special skills or even special degrees, but just a ready mind.
She loved us, and gave extra to give us a great education. She got her bus license so she could take an entire bus load of junior high and high schoolers to the YMCA three times a week for P.E. She was so good to us.
The way she taught me to look at learning is probably the reason that when asked in a job interview, "So you know a little Spanish and you like music. You could teach music and Spanish to preschoolers, right?!" I said, "Heck, yeah! Easy schmeesy." That was a great couple of years doing something I loved.
I hope I can give my girls the same attitude about life and learning that she gave me. She made me feel as though I was just one Library trip away from mastering any new skill I wanted. Thank you, Mrs. Schromm! You are in my personal hall of fame.
Love. She's a gem, and I have so many good memories with her.
ReplyDeleteRemember the art project in jr. high where she told us we could draw any picture we wanted, but we couldn't use an eraser? We had to make our mistakes part of the picture. I didn't like it at the time, but it's a pretty good life lesson, if you think about it.
She stands out as one of my all-time favorites, too. I especially treasure the way she loved those junior high boys at their most obnoxious stage in life. She could see the men they were capable of becoming, and she loved and challenged them to grow that way.
ReplyDeleteI don't remember that project specifically, it sounds familiar. But I remember taking that art class with her and feeling like I discovered maybe I could draw, after all.
ReplyDeleteStacy's comments:
ReplyDeleteThank you Charity so much for this note! Thank you for the tears even as I read it. It means so much to me that those years together still make sense. Those moments in the classroom with you guys were some of my most alive moments! You, being so receptive and sweet, made teaching easy. And what a compliment that I helped you to love learning! That opens a limitless set of possibilities for you the rest of your life! Really. Thank you so much. This note means more to me than you know. Thank you. (P.S. I don't remember the art project, Eleanor,but I agree, it is a really good life lesson! :) Kathy, I have to admit I still love the obnoxious eighth grade boys in my class. :) Besos!