Maybe I’m a teacher because I love touching the lives of others.

Perhaps like my Mom – I just like people.

She touched so many lives in such positive ways – countless numbers

of my friends have told me how she impacted them and helped shape them-

how she was their other mother. We told story after story the other night –

many of them funny, but some of them serious about times spent

with her and around her. I know she’d have loved that.

She taught me to positively impact the lives of others,

to leave others better than I found them, or at least try.

I think I found the best way to do that when I chose to become

a teacher. And, I know middle schoolers need me most.

They need the calm, honest presence I give them each

and every day. They need my wisdom and guidance.

They need so much that I willingly share.

And, I in turn need them right back!