Teachers

Rosie had a good “Say What?” question today. “Tell me about a teacher who changed your life.” I wrote that I couldn’t pick just one. I figured that the teachers I remember most and those I remember liking the most are the ones I had in high school. I do not want to assume that since I don’t remember much about elementary school, that my teachers from K-6 didn’t change my life… or at least give me a good start. They’re the ones who taught me to read. They must be the ones who made math interesting… I love math and have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. They could also be the ones who did not help me out with building up physical strength, but I suppose a lot of that is genetic, according to my father.

Anyway, I’m sure I liked school from kindergarten through 4th grade. Those teachers were Mrs. Cook, Mrs. Bachner, Mrs. McGowen (spelling might be wrong), Mrs. Martin, and Mrs. Wickham. Besides Mrs. Wickham in 4th grade, we changed classes for reading and another subject and so I had two other teachers, Mr. Katz was the name of the one and the reading teacher’s name I do not remember. Although I don’t remember her name, I remember her a little. She came to school one day wearing dark sunglasses. She apologized and said that she had just found out that a close friend had committed suicide. I had never heard that word before. But, I figured it out really quickly. Also, that year was my first play. It was called “Rebellious Robots.” I didn’t know what the word “rebellious” meant, but being in a play was fun.

Then my family moved and I went to three different schools in 5th grade. The first one I had a teacher named Mrs. Hinton. She was really, really old (I think). I hated that school, but Mrs. Hinton was ok for an old lady, I suppose. For P.E. (we always called it “gym” in my old school) I had this huge, army sergent-type man for a teacher. In my memory, he was Louis Gossett, Jr. in “An Officer and a Gentleman” only twice the muscle… more of an Apollo Creed body type. Why he was teaching weak little girls P.E. and making us climb poles I will never understand. He should have been coaching football or something.

My second 5th grade was a much nicer school. My teacher’s name was Mrs. Hickey. I knew what a hickey was… my babysitter and her boyfriend used to “neck” out on the front porch… so I knew. I barely remember that teacher. I was only there for 3 or 4 months. But, I must have learned something.

My third 5th grade teacher was Mrs. Blauvelt. Of all my 5th grade teachers, she was my favorite. She reminded me very, very much of Mrs. Wickham (4th grade). I thought for sure they must be sisters, but that was not likely since they had the same first name. Since it was my third school in a year, I struggled a bit that year, but I really think if I had spent the whole 5th grade in Mrs. Blauvelt’s class, I would have enjoyed that year so much more.

When I was in 6th grade, that was still considered elementary school. Mr. Brown was my teacher. I really liked him. He was very, very funny (he probably still is). He used to play chess and the stock market. And he definitely favored the girls in class. I think I realize now why most early grades have female teachers. Girls learn VERY fast how to take advantage of men. I’m not talking in a sexual way, but it is kind of flirty, I guess. My gym teacher that year was Mrs. Crumb. I still see her around from time to time. She’s retired, of course. She’s very, very nice.

That brings me to high school (junior high included). I had a few teachers who I liked personally, but they weren’t the best teachers; some I didn’t like on a personal level AT ALL, who taught me SO MUCH; and of course the best of both and the worst of both. Teachers I remember: Mr. Ikwild, Mr. Mason, Mrs. McKinnon, Mrs. Daniels, Mr. Eggleston, Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Teter, Mr. Treyz, Mr Ryall, Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Montello, Miss Martin, Mr. Mazzatelli, Mr. Grannan, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Thompson, Miss Cushing, Mr. Storman, Mr. Zimski (HATED HIM IN EVERY WAY!), Mr Geers, Mr. Shapley, Mrs. Levee, Mr. Welcher, Mrs. Barrows “B”, Mr. Bub, and last, but not least, Mrs. Ross.

I can’t say who my favorite was, but I know at the time I had the most admiration for Mrs. Hughes. Since then, I found out some disturbing stuff about her. That doesn’t change the fact that she saved my Chemistry grade and was an outstanding teacher. Another couple teachers who were right up there on my list were Mr. Welcher (choir and music), Miss Martin (Social Studies, which I didn’t enjoy, and yearbook editor, which I did enjoy), Mrs. B (gym), and La Senora Ross (guess).

In college I barely remember any teacher who had a great effect on me, but I really enjoyed Mr. Wood, one of my computer programming teachers. The only other one I can think of worth mentioning was Kelly Morgan, my Acting for Non-majors teacher. That was my favorite class I ever took and he was super sweet and nice on the eyes as well.

So, that’s it. I wouldn’t want to be a teacher. I thought for a long time that I did, but it’s way too hard for me to even explain what’s going through my head to one person, let alone a whole class full.

They have Teacher Appreciation Day each year now at my kids’ school. I don’t remember anything like that back when I was a kid. That’s so sad. I hope they felt appreciated anyway, but something tells me they didn’t get nearly the recognition they deserved.

Thank God in Heaven for teachers!

One post for American Idol

I didn’t take the time to post my opinions of American Idol this season, even though I enjoyed this season very much and had a few things to say.  I’ll just do it all now… the morning after the finale; the morning of the finale results. 

Right from the get-go, back when they brought on the final 24, I have loved that little David Archuleta. When he first started singing, I remember it just made me smile.  I enjoyed him so much and I was happily surprised at his ability to entertain.

He’s not the only one I like, though.  I enjoyed this season so much because there weren’t any real duds in the entire top 24.  There were a couple I would have put in the top 12 instead of a couple who ended up there, but mostly I liked everyone anyway.  They can’t all win, so I can live with the way it went.

I started to get a little annoyed with the judges, however.  Even though Simon wasn’t his usual obnoxious self for most of the season, it was easy to see who he wanted in the finale.  He knows that “The Davids” were the money makers for him.  David Archuleta will sell to the teen and old lady crowd and David Cook to just about everyone else.  So, when Syesha blew them away last week and several other times before, the judges, especially Simon, gave her false bad feedback.  I mean, as much as I like both of the Davids, they kind of sucked last week. Syesha didn’t in any way.  That’s why I think the judges should just shut up at this point.  If they could sit there and critique without being biased, that would be great, but it’s completely obvious that they were looking at dollar signs or pressured by the producers for that reason.

That said, I would like to voice my opinion on last night’s performances.  During the first round, I thought they were both really, really good.  Vocally, David Archuleta was better, but David Cook was very entertaining and unique.  The second round I liked both songs.  I thought they each picked songs that fit their own styles and personalities… way better than that lame song last year!  Both were performed equally well in my opinion. And the last song for each was also excellent for both of them.  I liked that David Cook sang a song he’d never performed before, but David Archuleta’s rendition of Imagine was so great the first time, I didn’t mind hearing it again.

So, do I care who wins? No.  Would I like to make a prediction? Well, OK.  I think it will be David Archuleta.  Why? I don’t know.  I just think he’s the American Idol type, I guess.  I also think I’ve heard more people say that they like him the most, the judges have favored him all season, and although they’ve been just as nice to David Cook, I have a feeling Cook is like Bo Bice and Chris Daughtry… and Blake Lewis, kinda… not quite pop enough.

********************* UPDATE–after the results show ************************

OK… so I was wrong. Wow! That was a really entertaining show!  I loved all the duets!  One thing about this season that I really didn’t enjoy and forgot to mention earlier is the group songs on elimination night each week.  For one thing, David Cook and Jason Castro, among a few of the others, look totally out of place doing that Osmond Brothers/Mickey Mouse Club kind of performance.  The other problem is that as opposed to other seasons’ finalists, all of these are lead singers and their styles are so different from each other that they didn’t blend well at all.  Last year, maybe because a few of them were professional backup singers, the group songs were quite entertaining.  Anyway, tonight I really loved the song the Davids sang together and a few of the group numbers were good.  I also enjoyed David Cook with ZZ Top, Brooke with Graham Nash, and that they had Jason sing Hallelujah again (I love that song!)  I thought Carly and Michael’s duet was terrific and I liked Kristy Leigh Cook’s parts (I always thought she was better than they gave her credit for).

Good for David Cook! I feel a little bit bad for David Archuleta. Although he doesn’t have anything to worry about.  I doubt his career would be any different. David Cook would still sell more albums in the long run.  But, I think David Cook could have handled second place better.  Oh, well.  They both did great and now my Tuesday and Wednesday nights are completely free, Yippee!!!