18 August 2001

Subject: My Favorite Teacher

Dear Ones,

 

Among all the teachers you ever had, is there one that you would clearly call "my favorite teacher"? Or, as in my case, did you have several favorites? On the other hand, were there some teachers that you just loved to hate.... maybe because they were so hard on "poor, little old me". I must say that in elementary school I was scared to death of a little.... and I do mean little, 4' 9" teacher who permanently wore a scowl on her face. I can't ever remember her smiling.... that just wasn't her nature. Needless to say, she wasn't at the top of my "favorites" list.

 

My wife, Leavon, taught school for about 12 years while we were traipsing around the world in the military. While I was on my second tour in Vietnam, Leavon was back home in Louisiana teaching a combined class of second and third graders.... the ages she liked best of all. It's hard to believe, but that was thirty years ago.

 

She was reminded of those days recently thanks to the advent of the Internet. Two of her students tracked her down using the Internet to do so. One currently lives in North Carolina and the other in Arkansas. These students didn't know her first name, or how to spell her it, and didn't know to whom she was married. One saw my name on the Internet as living in Louisiana and wrote to me asking if I knew a teacher named Mrs. Ladner who taught school at this particular school in 1970-71. I wrote back saying, "You have come to the right place. Your second grade teacher is my lovely wife, Leavon." The other found us by sending a letter to Leavon's brother who she found through the Internet.

 

What these two former students wanted was to contact Mrs. Ladner and tell her that she was one of their "favorite teachers". To say that Leavon was thrilled beyond belief to hear from them would be an understatement. Tears came to her eyes and a lump in her throat developed as she remembered these two youngsters and began to tell me all about them. Bringing even more pride to her heart was her learning how these two had "turned out" .... outstanding individuals, responsible citizens and loving parents.

 

They both told her they had passed on their love of reading to their children..... telling their youngsters that it was Mrs. Ladner, their favorite teacher, who influenced them by reading aloud the "Little House on the Prairie" series every day after lunch.

 

Seeing how Leavon reacted to hearing from her former students, I am most regretful that there are none of my school teachers still living who I can write and tell them, "Thank you... you were my favorite teacher." I wish I could turn back the clock.

 

If any of your "favorites".... teachers, coaches, friends, etc. are still around, don't miss the opportunity to "make their day". Who knows, it might even make your day brighter, as well.

 

Have a blessed day!!

 

Don

 

P. S.

Just thought I would show you a photo of MY most favorite teacher of all time. Tomorrow, August 19th, the teacher and I will celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary.

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