This is National Teacher Appreciation Week .Let's focus on the teachers that we writers look back on as ones who inspired us to become a writer and those who taught myriad things about the writing world.
I taught third and fourth grade and emotionally disturbed children for a period of five years after I graduated from college. In numbers, that's not very many years. I had the good fortune to be able to be a stay-at-home mom after our children were born. Even so, I didn't walk out of that last classroom with the thought of ditching my teaching abilities. I've used them over the years in leading various organizations. I've called on my teaching experience when I do public speaking about writing and writing family stories. I've used those abilities when I lead a workshop at a writing conference.
One of the reasons I started this blog for writers centered on helping other writers thorugh the knowledge I'd gained over the years and being able to use those long-ago teaching skills once again. I love teaching through the written word.
Let's get back to those teachers you had in your school years that inspired you to become a writer. Did you get notes from a teacher across an assignment complimenting your writing ability? That would certainly encourage you, wouldn't it? Did a teacher take you aside and talk to you about the possibility of pursuing a writing career?
Did a high school English teacher make books and stories come alive for you? Make you want to do the same for others? Did an English teacher show so much enthusiasm for the writing world that she/he made you want to be a writer?
Take a moment and look back at the teachers you had in your grade and high school years, maybe even college. Can you single out a few who inspired you to enter the writing world?
What about later in life when you took writing as a serious venture? Was there a person who helped you learn your way through the writing world? It doesn't have to be a professional teacher. It could very well have been another writer. I've learned a great deal from other writers, especially those in writing groups. Their aim is not necessarily to teach, yet they do so in many ways.
One of the early online writing groups I belonged to had a moderator who was tough on those in the group. She didn't use soft and pretty words to make us work harder and do better. Nope. She seemed harsh at times, critical, and almost unfeeling. Even so, I learned a great deal from her and remember her with great fondness. There were members who could not take her method of teaching, and they quit. They considered her words personal criticism rather than lessons to be learned. Those of us who stayed reaped the benefits.
Some of the strictest, toughest teachers we all had over the years were the ones who actually taught us something, the ones whom we remember, and the ones who ignited a spark within us. They were able to dig deep and bring our best work forth.
During this National Tacher Appreciation Week, be thankful for the teachers you had who helped inspire you to write and those who helped you learn to be a better writer.
As for appreciating all teachers this week, we should. There is far more to teaching than standing in front of a classroom and talking. Only teachers know all the things they do that no one ever sees. Teachers have a tremendous responsibility, and most take it seriously. Let's be serious in our appreciation, as well.
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