I don’t think I’ve been more excited to write a post then I have been to write this one. With Teacher Appreciation week coming up I can’t help but reflect on the teachers who have made a difference in my life. This June will be 20 years since I’ve graduated high school and I have to say it was some of the best years of my life. I grew up in a Christian home and went to Christian School from grades 5-12 and I wound up spending those years with a lot of the same kids, day in and day out. The school was pretty small (2 grades per section) and we became like family. And what’s a family without a father……..or in the Class of ’93’s case, an uncle as we so freshly referred to our favorite teacher, Uncle John.
Mr. Contes “Uncle John” Then
When I was in 7th grade I met a teacher who became a mentor to me and who impacted my life probably in more ways than he knows. He started out as my history teacher and continued on as my history and bible teacher throughout my high school years. He was that person you could go to and talk to about anything and he would always give you wise, Godly advice and he wasn’t afraid to tell you like it was. No sugar coating with this guy. I forget what grade it was but during Bible class he had us keep these Bible journals where we could write whatever we wanted and he would comment on them. I’m SURE that most of mine consisted of my insecurities, my relationship (or lack thereof) drama, friendship dilemmas. One thing he said to me that I have never forgotten and that I’ve reminded myself of many, many times was this:
If God wanted 2 of (insert the name of a person who you may be comparing yourself to), He would have made two but He didn’t. He wanted one of you and one of her.
Such a simple statement but one that has stayed with me.
I could seriously go on and on about “Uncle John”. And I know that he didn’t just impact me but there are hundreds (probably thousands now) of students whose lives he affected. Not only was he an amazing teacher (and friend) but he set such a wonderful example of what a Godly husband and father should be.
So, Mr. Contes, thanks for being there for me during my teenage years. I could not have gotten through high school without you. Your rewards in Heaven will be great. 🙂
One of my sisters is fortunate enough to be teaching with Uncle John at the school we graduated from and I had her snap this photo of him during class today.
Mr. Contes NOW
I can’t write a post about teachers without mentioning a few others who made a difference in my life:
Mrs. Holzknecht – my math teacher who was so patient and worked with my class over and over on the same thing until we got it.
Mr. Schrage – my English teacher who made English fun by making up weird words and definitions and who made faces while he taught.
Teachers are so important in the lives of so many and Office Depot recognizes just how much they give of themselves so they have launched their Real Change Project in conjunction with AdoptAClassroom.org.
Here are some things that you probably didn’t know about teachers:
- $1,000: Out-of-pocket amount spent by the average teacher each year on essential classroom supplies
- 92%: Percentage of teachers who report spending their own money on classroom supplies
- $1.3 billion: Total out-of-pocket amount spent nationally by teachers on classroom supplies each year
If you are a teacher (or if you know one – please pass this info on) please register your classroom today with AdoptAClassroom.org to participate in the REAL Change Project and be eligible for funding from donors nationwide. 100% of AdoptAClassroom.org donations goes directly to teachers, so they don’t have to spend their own money on supplies. Even if you are NOT a teacher, you can still donate. Go HERE to sign up and for more details.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
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