Happy Teacher Appreciation Week

"As we are all lifelong learners, I would like to thank every teacher (from elementary to college and even my current “teachers” in life) who have taken the extra time out of their day, outside of their required time to support, guide and assist me with my questions and my thoughts.

Growing up as a student with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and with various learning needs, I relied heavily upon teachers and their assistants to clarify directions, provide feedback on ideas and for re-direction and structure (as it was often needed). Simply put, these teachers were invested in me. And by investing in me, I would then invest into their subject whole heartedly. It didn’t matter if I “liked” the subject or not – by committing their time to me, we formed an unspoken agreement out of mutual respect. The motivation of having someone invested in your success is undeniable.

- Evan

"Dr. Leara Rhodes was not only my graduate school advisor, she was my sounding board, a fierce advocate and tireless cheerleader. She encouraged me to take chances, become a leader and think about things in a new way. She was never without a smile, a hug, a word of advice or even a joke – whatever I needed at that moment. I would have graduated without her as my mentor and advisor, but my experience would have been less fulfilling. Thank you, Dr. Rhodes."

- Amy

"My high school art teacher, Mr. John Almquist, taught me the immense power that comes with quiet observation. He taught me that we learn rules, theories and techniques in order to push beyond them. He taught me that if you tear something apart, you must use the pieces to build something new. He taught me that art is everywhere."

- Kateri

"Whether in school, college or even in adult life when I’m attending a work seminar, it has been a teacher or mentor who has encouraged me to keep an open mind and to appreciate the value of asking the right questions. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all!"

- Barry

"The great historian of intellectual history, Jacques Barzun, once noted, “The reason teaching has to go on is that children are not born human; they are made so.” My high school English Literature teacher, Mrs. Nupson, humanized me by exposing me to the depth of riches that is Tennyson, Shakespeare, Keats, Byron and Wordsworth, among others.  I can still remember moments from our discussions of Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner and Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables. Literature was not a subject for Mrs. Nupson; it was a lens through which truth, tragedy and the human condition could be illuminated and ultimately understood. Though my wife might dispute the extent of my transformation, thank you Mrs. Nupson for helping me to become human."

-Andrew

"My most influential teacher was Dr. Robert Ebert at Baldwin Wallace College.  I was undecided on a major going into college and after my first class with Dr. Ebert in Microeconomics, I was absolutely certain of what I wanted to study.  In addition to his courses throughout undergraduate school, Dr. Ebert also mentored me through co-authoring a paper on the Performance of the South Korean Automobile Industry in the Domestic and United States Markets.  This opportunity was a wonderful learning experience and a great experience in general for an undergraduate student.  He pushed me to always try my best and gave me the confidence I needed to succeed, as well as advice that I follow to this day.  I will forever be grateful for all he taught me and for being an amazing mentor.  Thank you Dr. Ebert!"

- Mariel

"At the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook, we were quite privileged to hear several pearls of wisdom from our esteemed Dean, Dr. Frances Brisbane.

- Maureen