Only 6 more days until school! With only two buildings, 7th grade was a huge shift back to the bottom of the food chain. I can remember my locker fell next to that years seniors. Chad (Linda) Custers locker was near mine. That was a relief to me as he felt like another older brother. I remember he had a wooden locker shelf that he had made in the Ag shop - this was before you could buy the nifty metal ones at Walmart. The following year, after he was graduated, I returned to find he had left that shelf in my locker! I truly felt special. Its funny to me, that I now teach in junior high as I dont remember being overly fond of those years: community showers in the locker room, girls with things changing & jealousies developing, boys with hormones that make them act stupid. One person stands out to me - Jack (Doris) Tarver. I can promise you in 7th & 8th grade athletics, Mr. Tarver never dreamed I would become a runner! He was patient, he was a stern man, he was intimidating but he had been part of my life through church since I was a kid & I always adored him. One Sunday, mom & dad left me at church when I was about 5. We only lived 300 yards away from church but Jack & Doris loaded me up & headed home with me. So, that Christmas, in their honor for saving me, I named a doll after them - Jackie Lee. I still have her packed carefully away. I was never know for my athleticism but he always found a place for me & encouraged me. He taught me to drive. Wed load up in the school station wagon & hed read the newspaper while I put in my time. It always made me feel like he trusted me. Then, when I began running & prepared for my first half marathon, he would send me messages, thru Doris, to encourage me. It was the most inspiring gift EVER, & touched me deeply. May I always remember that, especially in middle school, kids are never at their full potential. They have years to develop. I hope, like Mr. Tarver did for me, to put my trust in them & help encourage them to keep trying & looking for ways to excel. Then, when theyre grown, as many of my first students are, may I celebrate who theyve become & all they accomplish! Thank you, Jack & Doris for being a special part of my life! ❤️
Posted on: Thu, 21 Aug 2014 02:25:03 +0000
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