Laura at Catholic Teacher Musings has asked that we honor our favorite teacher today.
I was going to be all cheesy and say that my High School Band teacher was the one who changed my life, but she also happens to be my Step-mom – so that just seems wrong 😉 (She still kicks butt though – and I’m still tickled that she’s the one who suspended my brother for throwing a smoke bomb during marching practice…before she and my dad started dating. hehehehe)
ANYWAY…this one is for a college professor I had at Clarkson University. Thank you Dr. Karis for believing in me. I started at Clarkson as an engineer…and after struggling for two years (and being accused of cheating on a test when I hadn’t – perhaps that’s another post), I HATED it. I loved the school, however, and didn’t want to leave. So I slogged around looking for some place to fit in. I found Dr. Karis. He believed in me and gave me a fresh start in Technical Communication. By the time I was a senior, I had keys to the lab so I could come and go as I pleased and use all of the equipment when I wanted to. He noticed that a class-mate, Shannon, and I were in the lab so much that he bought beanbags for us … in case we wanted to sleep there LOL! (Ah, Shannon. We had so many classes together! Another professor asked us to be TAs … she was a far better TA than I was.)
Right before we graduated, the director of the Professional and Technical Communication department over at the New Jersey Institute of Technology contacted Dr. Karis asking him if he knew of anyone who would be interested in getting a masters degree with them. Dr. Karis immediately told her of me, and how I’d be perfect to go there. (I actually said “No way! I’m DONE with school!” at the time, but eventually ended up going.)
So – Thank you Dr. Karis. You changed my life and I’m forever grateful.
**** UPDATE! **** I just got an email from Dr. Karis!! He read my post! heh 🙂
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: life changing teachers |
The Zimmer Zoo 
Excellent.
You’re lucky!
I can’t really think of a teacher that “CHANGED” my life.
Isn’t that sad?
No life changing teacher stories here either. But always great to hear when a teacher goes above and beyond to help their students. Dr. Karis should get a gold star on his paycheck!
This IS a teacher who really, concretely changed your life! But, just knowing someone’s faith in you changes you, perhaps, in even more important ways, doesn’t it? God bless Dr. Karis wherever he is!
What a cool teacher! Mine would be my high school English teacher, but I have no idea where she is now. Hmmm….I think I’ll try to look her up!
Brought you beanbags? I think he would have been my favorite professor, too!
Hi Nancy, as an old Techie, I love positive pieces about teachers who made a difference. See mine at http://www.clarkson.edu/alumni/stay_connected/PDF%20Files/THE%20EGON%20YEARS.pdf Jim Wood ’64
I love the ending to this story! It’s great enough that you found such an inspiring teacher, but the fact that he found YOU again is amazing!