Meckley's classroom appeared dark and deserted, but conveniently open. Knowing he feared snakes , a rubber replica seemed a hilariously appropriate calling card. Giggling, we quickly embellished a scrap worksheet with smiley faces and initials. Bells pealing, we panicked, and fled upstairs.
With millions of children’s school year coming to an end, it is only natural to reflect on the teachers that molded and shaped each of us. I rarely wander down memory lane. In my life most things and people who were in the past remain in the past. After much careful thought I found I couldn’t narrow it down to one favorite teacher. Since I lived and breathed art all through school, it is little wonder that both of the teachers that tied for the title of favorite teacher in my heart taught art.
As I progressed through high school, I spent more and more time in the art department. By senior year I spent 4 of the 7 hours I was in the school studying and practicing my art in either Dr. Linda Kennedy’s or Mrs. Janet Hales’ classrooms. Mrs. Hales smile could light up the world. She was the kindest soul and was always quick with a hug and a word of praise and encouragement. She taught me technique and encouraged me to try new things.
However, it was Dr. Kennedy who pushed my creative boundaries. Being the department chair at the time, she opened doors for me to explore art even further through after school life drawing workshops. By senior year my whole focus was on developing my advance placement portfolio to be submitted for college credit at the end of senior year. Dr. Kennedy was instrumental in analyzing my strengths and interests to help me to develop a thesis that I could do my absolute best on. I focused on the human form. I did self portraits in pastels and portrayed myself in sculpture. My work was exhibited down town at the Midwest Museum of American Art and chosen to be apart of a special exhibit that earned pride of place at the local hospital. She opened doors in the art world and I waltzed through them.
They both guided me creatively and helped me to have confidence and pride in my work. They fanned the creative talent they saw in me and encouraged me to do work I would not have felt possible. They encouraged me to have fun with it, and taught me how to be serious and nurture the perfectionist in me. They taught me that art is ultimately all about personal expression and that a person’s artistic abilities could manifest in many ways.
Even now, my creativity has found an outlet here. Looking back on the art that I created back in those days I can see their guidance in each piece. I remember how creative they both were and how they each pushed me to create what I saw and what I felt. They taught me to see the world in terms of shape, color, and emotion. Thanks to them, I learned how to process what I seen into whatever I created. They taught me to pour my soul into my work. I learned to think outside of the box and discover all the possibilities. I am certain that without their influence, I wouldn’t be the creative person I am today and I am so happy that I was fortunate enough to have each of them as teachers until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
Last night I faced a meeting at my daughter’s school strictly for parents. The meeting was mandatory and the letter sent home specifically stated in bold print “No kids allowed!!” As soon as I seen the letter I was wondering why and trying to think up any possible excuse not to go. Unfortunately my daughter insisted that I had to go. It was scheduled to last a whole hour and be filled with a general meeting in the cafeteria starring the principal and then a meeting with my kids teacher in the classroom. Didn’t sound like my idea of “fun” and I sure was not looking forward to it at all.
I longed for the seasons of my life when I was one of the kids forbidden from attending. When did I grow up and become eligible for this crap?? With a feeling of foreboding I made my way to the school where other parents were already arriving.
I took my place alone at one of the tables in the cafeteria and waited trying to look dignified and pious. Soon a lady approached with her kid and asked me if I would mind if she joined me. Did I have a choice? Well no, I didn’t feel like I did, so I was polite and told her “Please do, I won’t bite. “ Before long I realized this woman reeked. At first I couldn’t put my finger on what the hell that awful smell was. Could it be stale cigarette’s? Perhaps it was the stale coffee from the ceramic cup she had brought with her. Where is a can of Febreeze when you need it??
I focused on the principal who soon began droning on about curriculum, extreme teams for reading, a new concept called “word work”, and the new grading policy. I felt instantly like I was back in school myself. Like kids, all the parents fidgeted as we listened, then waited in eager anticipation to be dismissed. I was hoping against hope I wouldn’t run into the mother of my daughter’s former best friend. Murphy’s Law must state that if you don’t want to run into someone, chances are you will find yourself face to face with the woman who puts the itch in bi-otch. If looks could kill, the daggers she zoomed my way would have equaled certain death. As it was, I laughed in her face and proceeded on my merry way.
I proceeded to my kid’s classroom and I proudly found it with little trouble. I waited in line to greet my daughter’s teacher and then was told to take a seat at my daughter’s desk. Are you kidding me?? All of a sudden I felt like the size of an elephant sitting on a thimble as I squeezed myself into the space between desks and perched on my daughter’s chair hoping to G0d and sunny Je$u$ that I wouldn’t break it. I can honestly say, I wasn’t the only one that looked a little uncomfortable with this arrangement.
Soon the teacher began telling us just what our kids do in her class. She encouraged us to look in our kid’s desk, wander around the room, and check everything out. I had really no desire to go through my kid’s desk so I just checked out her school picture ID that she is required to wear. Not far from me one lady was carefully going through everything in her kid’s desk, shaking out each text book and notebook like a dog sniffing for illegal paraphernalia or drugs. It really makes me wonder what she expected to find besides books and school supplies! Equally amusing was that my daughter’s teacher kept repeating that no matter what happened, she was on our side!!
As I drove home I was annoyed that theschool couldn’t have simply typed something up with the information instead of subjecting us to this little “Parent’s Night”. There are many seasons in a person’s life. Unfortunately I have entered into the time of the season where both of my kids are in school and I am expected to tolerate “Parent’s Night”. If only they would have fed us or provided Tylenol for the killer headache we were doomed to get from such a meeting! Until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.
Meckley's classroom appeared dark and deserted, but conveniently open. Knowing he feared snakes , a rubber replica seemed a hilariously appropriate calling card. Giggling, we quickly embellished a scrap worksheet with smiley faces and initials. Bells pealing, we panicked, and fled upstairs.
I took my place alone at one of the tables in the cafeteria and waited trying to look dignified and pious. Soon a lady approached with her kid and asked me if I would mind if she joined me. Did I have a choice? Well no, I didn’t feel like I did, so I was polite and told her “Please do, I won’t bite. “ Before long I realized this woman reeked. At first I couldn’t put my finger on what the hell that awful smell was. Could it be stale cigarette’s? Perhaps it was the stale coffee from the ceramic cup she had brought with her. Where is a can of Febreeze when you need it??
Soon the teacher began telling us just what our kids do in her class. She encouraged us to look in our kid’s desk, wander around the room, and check everything out. I had really no desire to go through my kid’s desk so I just checked out her school picture ID that she is required to wear. Not far from me one lady was carefully going through everything in her kid’s desk, shaking out each text book and notebook like a dog sniffing for illegal paraphernalia or drugs. It really makes me wonder what she expected to find besides books and school supplies! Equally amusing was that my daughter’s teacher kept repeating that no matter what happened, she was on our side!!
