"FOR TEACHERS & EDUCATORS"
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"EVOLUTION:
The required growth and adaptation of a being to avoid extinction."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by D.M. --- Saskatchewan, Canada

"The roots of education are bitter but the fruit is sweet."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Albert Ong --- Georgetown-Penang, Malaysia

"Everyday our lives are influenced by many people. Everyday a student is actively making the choice of who they will become. Teachers, you are teaching not only information but life lessons, everyday you have the chance to make a difference in a student's life. If you choose to make the best of this special gift, you will be doing your part to make the world a better place."
Written by A.B., Age 16 --- Washington
Thanks to all my teachers for helping to make me the strong, smart and independent person I am today. I will remember you always!



THE GREATEST GIFT

"I have just concluded my first year of teaching and received a moving and inspirational gift from one of my students on the last day of school. I work at a Title One school where the majority of the students come from single parent homes and usually live in nearby housing projects. This was case for one of my students, Ruth.

In the midst of a very hectic last day, I received a few gifts from some of the students including a lovely candle, nice bookends, and a beautiful collage. But from Ruth I received something different....only a piece of typing paper folded up like a letter. When I opened the letter, there was a picture of our school she had drawn. In the area where our school's name is located, she wrote "School is home with Ms. Lempka as my teacher." I will cherish this picture forever."
Kelly Lempka --- Texas

"A teacher is not limited to the constricting walls of a classroom, nor to the monotonous worksheets that are passed about their homeroom. Teachers must long to nurture their student as children, their children, desiring to teach each individual indifferently, with the greatest of care and patience.

We can only try our best, knowing even that may not be enough. We must give it our all and be satisfied, but not to the point that we nolong strive to raise the standards. Laugh, cry, grieve and sigh but be grateful in all circumstances realizing there is always someone behind the scenes who appreciates your efforts and is inspired by your perseverance.

Give generously for you seek not to please yourself but others: that should be your life's goal. Serve others first for in doing so you will realize the one who truly benefits. As a teacher, satisfaction is minimal and gratification eccentric but admiration is manifested among those who are taught.

You motivate us as the future of this country to try, and when we fall, to pick up with more force than before. Please continue, for even though we seem bored and our grades may only be "satisfactory", you are not a failure.

For you have taught us much more than about right triangles, profound literature or the Civil War. You have taught about life. So yes, you have succeeded."
Copyright © 2001 Karie Barnett

"Children are like seeds; all the same, until someone comes along to influence their growth."
Copyright © 2001 Ashely Connell

Being a student
Is a full-time adventure,
Of smiles and tears,
Courage and fears,
Dreams and demands,
Questions and answers...

Being a student
Means balancing all this,
While reaching for the stars,
At the same time.
As you graduate,
You should be proud of all you have accomplished--
Because you really are,
Someone truly amazing!
Copyright © 2001 Baily Brittain

"The highest rated school of learning I have found is free to attend, accepts everyone, has no age limit, and it's main entrance qualifications are two; common sense and an open mind. It is the school of Life."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by L.H. --- California

"Train to lead, lead by example."
Copyright © 2000 David T. Tolbert

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."
Ralph Waldo Emerson --- Submitted by A. Kelley --- New Hampshire

"The best of men is only a man at best."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Martin Jones --- Bucks, United Kingdom
As teachers we can sometimes expect too much from our students. This reminds me that some people are "flat out" on other people's "mediocre".



"Knowing my pupils helps me to accept who they are and to help them become what they can be."
Copyright © 2000 Lim Cheng Yong

"All teachers make a footprint on a student's life, some just make a deeper one than others. Thank you to all the teachers out there willing to go the extra mile to make a difference in a child's life. Mrs. L., thank you for making my 8th grade year one of the best of my life. You taught me more than history of our nation, you taught me history about life. Thank you!"
Caitlin B., Age 14 --- Kansas

"If you can read this, thank a teacher!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Nathan H., Age 17 --- Tennessee

Dedicated to Mrs. Michelle Walters

"A real teacher knows a student struggles and takes the time to pick that student up and bring her back to her feet. A real teacher cares enough to let you turn that forgotten assignment in at least at the end of the day. A real teacher is human and therefore a real teacher treats a student as a human with respect, understanding, fairness, compassion, and most of all with patience."
Copyright © 2001 Jessica Siefert
Even though I'm not the smartest, Mrs. Walters, you took the time to look at me as a person instead of just another dumb high school senior waiting to get out.



"Keep up your hopes, hold onto your dreams and one day
You might accomplish all those things."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Christina S., Age 12 --- Florida

"Music Teacher ...
One who serves with dedication...
Leads with inspiration...
Shares the gift of music...
And deserves appreciation!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by J.F., Age 17 --- Ontario, Canada

"If you aren't going to try, don't waste everyone else's time.
If you want to succeed, prove to yourself you can do the work,
Then prove it to everyone else."
Copyright © 2001 Chon

"We should treat students not as students
But as people who are learning."
Copyright © 2001 Terrence Chiew

"Who greets you with a smile even in the early morning? Who acknowledges you in the midst of a crowd? Who gives you a smile that means the world? Who offers you help, advice, and guidance when times are rough? Who always has an empty shoulder for you to lean on? Who listens to every pointless story you have to tell? Who makes a boring subject fun and interesting? Who likes you for who you are on the inside and not the outside? Who teaches you all you need to know to succeed not only academically but in life?

Teachers.

They hold your hand when you are scared, they are your map when you've lost your way, they are your sunshine when you've reached a goal. They are so much more then they are said to be. Everybody who is anybody was taught how to be somebody by a teacher."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kates, Age 18 --- New Jersey

"The most awesome privilege a teacher has is to nourish a child's imagination, creativity, and intelligence!"
Copyright © 2000 Norma A. De Leon (Texas Teacher)

"Every student can learn, just not on the same day or in the same way."
Copyright © 2000 George Evans

"Let curiosity be your best teacher."
Anne M., Age 14 --- Indiana