Things I Can't Say

Tips and Tales from an Introverted Mom

#ThankaTeacher Giveaway for You and Your Favorite Teacher

Yesterday was a perfect Spring afternoon. Warm, sunny, with a nice breeze. A perfect time to sit outside on the porch and read a book, which is exactly what I did. My third grader joined me, reading his way through Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Had it not been for his second grade teacher, Ms. Zee, this probably wouldn’t have happened.

readingHe started second grade behind where he needed to be for reading and that was the year the new standards were put into place, meaning he was suddenly not just two reading levels behind, but four. It was very frustrating. We knew he was a bright kid, but something just wasn’t clicking with him and reading(which was killing my little bookworm heart).

But Ms. Zee was amazing. She absolutely adored my son. She told me numerous times that she wished she has a class full of him because he had such a great work ethic and was so sweet. She encouraged him and showed him how much she cared for him, how smart she thought he was, and she noticed his abilities in other areas.

Somewhere during that year, something clicked for my son. He not only caught up to where he needed to be in reading, but he surpassed it. Which is why now, a year later, my son can sit beside me and read an 869 page book(he’s quick to tell you how long the book is and that it’s the longest in the series).

Teachers like Ms. Zee work hard to teach and care for all their students. It’s why we want to be sure to show them our thanks. Please watch this short video to #ThankaTeacher.

#ThankaTeacher Giveaway

One of you will win a $50 Amex gift card for you and a $100 Staples gift card for your favorite teacher. Please enter in the rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Who was your favorite teacher and why?

This post is sponsored by Kronos Incorporated. I’m always happy to work with brands that support our teachers. Don’t forget this is Teacher Appreciation week. If you’re still looking for ideas, check out my Teacher Gift Ideas. 

Comments

  3. It’s a tie for my favorite teacher. 1. My 10th grade gifted English teacher who inspired me to read things in various genres and made me join the yearbook team 2. My 11th grade AP English teacher who convinced me that I was a writer. She convinced me to apply to the best high school journalism summer program in the county–changed the path of my life.

    Thanks Ms. Mancini & Ms. Laessig!

  4. My favorite teacher would be my Mrs. Bennett.  She was my clinical instructor throughout nursing school.  That first day of clinicals I wanted to quit, it was so overwhelming, and I thought to myself there is no way that I can do this for another 7 months.  I cried like a baby.  She told me to not give up, that I could do this.  8 months later I walked across the stage at graduation and received my nursing pin.  She believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself and I will be forever grateful to her for that.

  5. My favorite teacher was Mr. Pawlak. He encouraged us all to stretch our limits and try new things.

  6. I liked most of my teachers.  My favorite teacher though was Mr. Brundidge, my middle school band teacher.  It took me years later to know the racism that he likely faced in keeping this position.  I had no clue as to how recently that the schools had been integrated.   All that was way above my radar.  He loved and encouraged us all whether black, white, hispanic, or asian.  Years later, he would still now our names and instruments.  I cried when I heard he had passed away and I was too far away to even attempt to make it to his funeral.  

    Currently loving the teachers that my boys have, even though I hated my younger sons teacher when he had her (until they moved him to a different class.)  With my older son,  it is important that their be the right mix of personality.

  7. My favorite teacher was my chorus teacher, Mrs. Rhonda Fossum. She is still teaching in Fulton County. She was one of those teachers who would get you excited about going to class!

  9. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Hanhan. She was my student teaching teacher. She taught me wonderful ways of teaching. She inspired me.

  10. Three of my four kids were lucky enough to have the same kindergarten teacher. She is absolutely amazing! She goes way above and beyond in making her class fun and challenging. 

  13. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Griffin, my kindergarten teacher. Her energy and love for life was infectious. 

  14. My favorite teacher was my 6th grade art teacher. I have had some great teachers over the years and so have my kids thankfully.

  15. My favorite teacher was my high school physics teacher. He was hard. He tested me. He demanded us to try. It worked. I don’t think I even worked that hard in a college class. He was excellent!

  16. My favorite teacher was Mrs. White, my literature teach whole taught me to love and enjoy reading.

  17. My favorite teacher was my first grade teacher because she was nice and supportive

  18. My high school History teacher was the best. He inspired me to major in History in college.

  19. A great teacher can make so much difference for a child! My favorite teacher was Mr. Ed (yep, that’s what he went by!) He made me love English classes 🙂

  20. Mrs. Blacker, my business teacher – she helped you see what you could become, and to believe in yourself.

  22. My favorite teacher was Mr. Delany. He was a English teacher and really had a way of making learning fun. To this day, I feel that I love reading because of him.

  24. I loved my 4th grade teacher. She was very engaging and encouraging! 

    Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”

    Thanks for the chance to win!
    wildorchid985 at gmail dot com

  26. My high school math teacher because he pushed me beyond what I thought I could do~

  28. My favorite teacher was Mrs Birdsey who taught English and Drama.  She was hilarious, and approachable, and REAL.  She is now retired and is my friend on Facebook, we connect daily and I absolutely love it!

  32. My 2nd grade teacher was my favorite because she was always kind and had fun projects for us to work on.

  33. My favorite teacher is my sister ! She is so passionate about what she does – when all the teachers go home she is still at work thinking of new creative projects . she always spends her own money to get fun holiday treats for her kids and she spends her spare time tutoring kids too ! she is an inspiration 🙂

  34. My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Threatt. She was always so kind. I always enjoyed being in her class.

  35. I remember the first teacher that showed me that Math shouldn’t be terrifying. His name was Mr. Nelson, and I will always remember him as a patient gentle soul that helped me trudge through high school algebra. 

  36. I loved my second grade teacher Mrs. Edmister. She had a big heart and you could tell she loved teaching.

  38. I loved my 5th grade teacher Mrs Saltmarsh because she was tough but pushed me to do well.

  39. I still remember my history teacher from 7th grade.  He made learning about something that I wasn’t interested in very fun and exciting.  I learned more in that class than I have in any other class since. 

  40. My Favorite Teacher Is My 5th Grade Teacher Mrs. Lord. She Made Learning So Much Fun And Really Cared About Each Student.

  43. My favorite teacher was my Kindergarten teacher because she just made everything wonderful.

  47. My favorite teacher was my grade 5 teacher, he thought me a lot about myself. He instilled in me a sense of confidence that was almost taken away from being bullied in school. Up to this very day, he’s been an inspiration to me.

  48. My favorite teacher was named Mrs. Beams in middle school. She always went above and beyond for her students and always offered extra after school help. She was really dedicated to her teaching.

  49. My favorite teach was Mrs. Hunt (social studies) when I was in high school she encouraged my love of history and english and she gave such a glowing reference that she helped me get my first job.

  50. My favorite teacher would be my little girl’s kindergarten teacher.  She was always upbeat and positive.

  51. My favorite teacher was Mr. Weber in 2nd grade. Even 20 years after I left his class, he still remembered me when we ran into each other in a bookstore. Such a great teacher he was!

  52. I am so thankful my daughter has two incredible teachers right now. They have taught her so much in one year and I cannot believe how much she has grown intellectually. I am not ready for Kindergarten after the Summer!

  53. My 8th grade math teacher was my favorite because she really helped me get ready for high school.

  54. This is a great post. My favorite teacher was my second grade teacher Mrs. Barden, she inspired me to become a teacher as well. 

  57. my first grade teacher mrs. chrysler. She was so sweet and nice and made me excited to learn

  62. My favorite teacher was Mr. Knox. I’d love to see him again. He was such a great teacher of children.

  63. My favorite teacher was Mr. Bush – he helped me out a lot when my Grandmother passed away
    annabella @ centurytel dot net

  64. Ms. Sutton was my favorite teacher because she made learning fun and was so helpful to me and my classmates. She had a goofy, fun side to her, but she also had a serious side and was very well respected.

  65. my favorite was a science teacher I had, he was a very hands on learning type teacher and his class was always so fun!

  66. My kindergarten teacher was my favorite because she was very loving and caring, I was a bit shy but she helped me be more friendly 

  67. My dad was my favorite teacher – still is. He helped me to develop a love of reading and learning, which I am now sharing with my daughter. It tickles me to watch her create her own math problems and stories (things that my dad encouraged me to do when I was little). I know that when she stays with him, he’s teaching her so much! 

  68. My favorite teacher was my third grade teacher, Mrs. Kennedy. She instilled in me a love for the written word.

  70. My favorite teacher was my 5th grade teacher, Mr. Dempsey! He was just so outgoing, fun, and made learning awesome! I bet you that if you ask anyone, over his career of teaching, who had him, who their favorite teacher was, it would be Mr. Dempsey! Great guy!

  71. My favorite teacher was my advisor for all of my physical education classes in college. He was more than just a teacher, but also a friend and mentor. 

  72. My favorite teacher was my 1st grade teacher because my parents were going through a tough divorce and she really comforted me during that time.

  73. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Handy and she was just so sensitive and kind. She was very near retirement age and had that sweet grandmotherly quality about her and a wicked sense of humor. 

  74. My favorite teacher was my mother. I was home schooled and I feel like it really opened doors for me. My parents are always supportive of what I want to do and I was able to learn at my speed, meaning I covered a lot more ground in high school which allowed me to have the time to start my own business while still in school. She inspires me every day and I hope that I am as a good a mother and teacher to my kids as she has been/was to me. 🙂 

  76. my French teacher, Madam Pfeiffer, because she was always so patient and encouraging.

  77. My favorite teacher was my college Marketing professor, because he inspired me to make that my career!

  78. Mr. Popeck was my favorite teacher. He taught Latin and was passionate about it.

  79. My high school biology teacher that told me I was too dumb to take his class, because he knew I’d rebel and take it anyway and do well to show him up.

  80. My favorite teacher was Anna Cyr during my 5th grade year.  She was very strict but instilled a very good work ethic into her students which carried over into my adult life.  

  81. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Williams. She was a fun teacher, who always made me actually want to go to school! She was really nice, and had a great relationship with her students too!

  82. My favorite teacher was my mother as I was homeschooled and she still is a great teacher as she continues homeschooling my youngest siblings.

  83. My favorite was my 7th grade math teacher b/c she always tried to make learnng fun.

  84. My favorite teacher was named Mrs. Garrett. She encouraged me to take an opportunity that would take me away from my friends at the time, but would be better for me in the long run.

  86. My favorite teacher was my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Thompson. We had such a great bond and she was an amazing teacher.

  87. My favorite teacher was…my mom!! I was homeschooled and I’m so thankful for the opportunities it afforded me!  🙂

  88. my favorite teacher was my 7th grade teacher. she said i reminded her a lot of herself when she was younger and was always recommending me books so i can say that she was the one who helped me learn to love to read.

  89. I am so thankful for Mr. Hallsten, my social studies and government teacher.  He inspired me to be aware of current events and to this day I try to keep up with current events.

  90. My favorite teacher was my 7th grade English teacher, Mr. Shoemaker. In the hellhole that was middle school, he was a bright spot in my day. He never made us feel bad about ourselves, and always encouraged us to read what we wanted to read.

  92. My fave teacher was my 4th grande teacher Ms. Janna Jones – you could really tell she cared about her students and she make learning so fun!

  93. I had a teacher in my college PC classes, Mr. Tatum, who always was a pleasure. A good teacher is a special gift to the student.

  94. It was my sixth grade teacher because we learned so much that year and thought we were just having fun.

  95. Aside from one teacher, I really loved all my teachers.  My kids have seemed to have the same luck 🙂

  96. my second grade teacher bc she really took the time with me when I needed help

  97. My favorite teacher right now is my friends Melissa because not only is she am amazing teacher but she also puts up with the bad kids in Gary, IN.

  98. Teachers are so important! I’m so happy for your son. Reading is important but also wonderful. He is lucky to have found that enjoyment in reading, it will open so many doors for him.

  100. My 7th grade social studies teacher. She had a way of making learning about a subject I was never really interested in, fun.

  101. My favorite teacher (and probably the reason I’m now a teacher myself) was my high school music teacher–who was also my piano teacher and my academic adviser. He supported me through all my highs and lows and offered encouragement without letting me take the easy way out.

  102. My favorite teacher was Mr. McIntyre because although he was mean as all get out, he helped me to develop my writing skills and they’ve come in handy!

  103. Hi! My favorite teacher was Mrs. Loustari. She taught my Senior English class, the school newspaper class, and was one of my forensics coaches. She is one of the teachers that I truly did learn from. Thank-you!

  105. Mr Gleason. He taught my favorite subject, English, and was young enough to be cool. 

  106. My college professor who pushed everyone to learn more than I had in any other class.

  107. My favorite teacher was my 7th and 8th grade math teacher, Mrs. Drum. She was so extremely hard on me and I didn’t understand why until later. She pushed me to try harder and it really paid off in my school work. thank you!

  108. my favorite teacher is Ms.Shaw in my daughters kindergarten class,because she tough my daughter so much,even payed for my daughter school pics when we coudlnt afford them this year.

  109. mrs shields because she was such a genuinely nice person who loved kids

  110. I loved mrs amaya my 5th grade teacher because she inspired us to explore different places and things

  111. I cannot remember her name. She was my 4th grade teacher and she was very kind and the nicest teacher I ever had.

  113. My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Morse. I loved her she was special to me.

  114. My favorite teacher was my Spanish teacher, Ms. Carey.  She was American but had lived in South America so she was able to teach Spanish extremely well since she knew what we were going through trying to learn it 🙂

  115. My favorite teacher was Mr. Anderson.  He taught English and was so much fun to be around.  He made learning fun.

  116. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Thompson, who had a reputation for being tough and gruff but really taught me the value of hard work, conscientiousness, and self-belief through her “tough love” teaching style.

  117. My favorite teacher was my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Spurlock. She really helped with my confidence in math. I will always be grateful to her for her encouraging words.

  118. my favorite teacher was my 8th grade teacher mrs lauria. she really cares for her students and still remembers me to this day.

  119. My fifth grade teacher was wonderful because she helped me a lot with my shyness.

  122. 2 who really stood out for me:

    Mimi Steinheider who made me believe in myself when I was a very insecure 6th grader and Jerry Yowell who encouraged me to “go for it” when I said I was considering being a foreign exchange student. Thank you both!

  123. MY 2nd grade teacher is my favorite teacher. She was so cultured and creative. 

  124. My 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Frankenfield was my favorite teacher. She really took the time to get to know each kid. I remember her driving us home from school to have parent/teacher conferences with our parents in our home. I believe this gave her a better insight into us.

  126. My favorite teacher was my kindergarten teacher she made every lesson come to life and she was my inspiration to become a teacher myself.

  127. I love stories like this. Teachers really are amazing!

    My favorite teacher was my 6th grade teacher. Her name was Mrs. High. She expected great things from us and didn’t take less than our best. She was also warm, like a mother, when we needed it. I used to go back and visit her when I was in high school. She was so proud of me. She’d have me speak to the class and encourage them. 

  128. My favorite teacher was my band director. He modeled every virtue: kindness, patience, slow to anger and inspired me to be the best teacher that I could!

  129. My 6th grade teacher, Mrs Dutcher because she was firm but taught me to be serious about school which helped me in the years after.

    kport207 at gmail dot com

  130. My favorite teacher was Mrs. O’Connor in the second grade because she encourage me to work ahead of the class at my own pace and kept me interested in school.

  131. ms grover my 6th grade teacher. she made me love history and was a really good friend.

  133. i loved my 5th grade teacher mrs. hurst. she actually enjoyed teaching and made us happy to be learning in her class.

  136. My favorite teacher was my fifth grade teacher. Even all those years ago he was inventive, ahead of his time, and made learning so much fun. Thank you Mr. C!!!!

  137. my favorite teachers were always my music teachers, loved singing and playing instruments

  138. My favorite teacher was in college. The class was “Strengthening Marriage and Family.” She expounded on marriage in a way I never saw it before. Changed my life and marriage for the better. Excellent teachers really do change the world.

  139. My favorite teacher is my son’s special education teacher who is very patient with him

  140. My favorite teacher was a math professor in college, Professor Adams. She showed me that cool women can love math!

  142. My favorite teacher was my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Gray. She really instilled in my a lifetime love for learning.

    My more recent favorite teacher has got to be my team teacher, Mrs. Gonzalez, she is awesome!! She is so inspiring, caring, and knowledgable about so many things! She gives her everything for our kindergarteners and I aspire to be more like her everyday!

    Thanks for the opportunity!

  143. Mrs. Eversfield my 4th grade teacher because she took the time to learn the challenges I faced and treated me a an individual and special.

  144. My 11th grade math teacher Mrs Johnson because she was a real help to me when I was struggling with math.

  145. my 7th and 8th grade english teacher . She was so kind and made me want to learn . 

  146. My favorite teacher is my bible school teacher Mrs. Tamekeyo Griffin because she’s always been a source of support for me and my family.

  148. My favorite teacher was my 2nd grade one. I had made a big transition from private school to public and I was put ahead a grade. She helped make it easier for me by being caring, helpful and giving me confidence.

  150. My favorite teacher was my 9th grade math teacher. He made it fun to do math. Before his class, I had poor grades in math class but afterwards, I got straight A’s!

  151. My favorite teacher right now is mrs. mason ,she is helping my grandson so much with socializing!

  155. My business professor in college was my favorite. If you didn’t understand something, he’d take time after class for those who needed extra help and have mini sessions with who ever stayed after class. He was always excited about what he was teaching and that made a big difference. Hard to learn from someone who finds what they teach to be boring.

  156. My second-grade teacher, Mrs. Palmer, because she was so kind and understanding during a very difficult year in my family’s life. I’ve never forgotten her and think of her still.

  157. My favorite teacher was in 7th grade science class – Ms. Roberts. Her class was hands on so it was fun.

  158. my fav teacher would have to be my music teacher because she made learning to play easy and fun 

  160. I had a great grammar professor in college who was funny quirky and excitable and who always pushed us.

  163. My 7th grade teacher Mr Breen was amazing. He was so caring and made great strides to make sure we all did well in school.

  165. mrs phillips was my favorite teacher.  she was my gifted teacher from kindergarten through fifth grade.

  166. My first grade teacher. She opened up a whole new world to me with teaching me to run

  167. My favorite teacher was my 6th grade teacher – she excelled at teaching English which has served me well all of these year.

  168. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Reese was 6th grade teacher. My dad was in the military and we had already moved about 5 times in the last two years. I was so shy and had to start school in the middle of the school year. Mrs. Reese was so warm and caring and made me feel like she was so glad I was in her classroom and made the whole year so much easier on me.

  170. My high school history teacher Mr. Plunkett. He taught by reenacting parts of history. I doubt I would have learned anything about history without him.

  171. My favorite teacher was my 6th grade teacher, Mr. Powers. We read a lot of books in class and then would watch the movies. He would make us write different things about the book – maybe a letter or continuation of a chapter and then read it aloud in class. He seemed to always look forward to reading mine and it made me feel good. 

  172. My favorite teacher was Mrs Sherman. She always seemed to spend so much time with each of us. Thanks

  173. My HS English teacher, Mr Anderson.  He made learning fun and treated us like adults.

  175. My favorite teacher was in jr. high, her name was Mrs. Verling she was the kindest person that I knew. She made you feel like you were her only student and she truly loved her kids….She passed away from Lou gehrig’s disease and she worked right up until she couldn’t anymore. She was in a wheel chair the last time that I had seen her before she passed. She was such an asset to the school and all of her students!

  176. My Civics teacher because she asked my advice about something and as a teenager, I was greatly complimented by that.

  177. Mrs. Reynolds, my 8th grade algebra and 12th grade calculus teacher, was my favorite because she held everyone to such a high standard. She believed in us and pushed us to reach our full potential.

  178. My favorite teacher was Mrs. Telefson in 6th grade. She had us do a lot of plays and I really enjoyed it.

  179. My fave teacher was my 3rd grade teacher, mrs. Schweitzer!  She was so nice and taught me to love reading.  We stayed in touch for many years, even after I moved to another country!

  181. My favorite was my first grade teacher, Mrs. Olson, because she was so nice and made me love learning.

  183. My 3rd grade teacher Mrs. Ames was my favorite.  The only time I didn’t hate school was the year that she was my teacher. She made school exciting.  

  186. My 6th grade math teacher Mr.Crossier was my favorite.He saw potential in me and had me working ahead of the class.My the time I left 6th grade,he had me doing 8th grade math.When my father passed two years later,he sent a beautiful arrangement to me.

  187. We have been lucky to have had some great teachers for the kids. My son’s Kindergarten teacher right now though, is hands-down our most favorite ever. She’s diplomatic with the parents, always genuine and kind to the students and has a great way of getting parents involved in the classroom.

  191. my favorite teacher was my 5th grade teacher. She was very sweet, never yelled and you could tell she just enjoyed her job:)

    jmatek AT wi DOT rr DOT com

  192. My favorite teacher was in college. He taught my Criminal Studies class.

  193. I love my third grade teacher. She rewarded children for being good, but didn’t embarrass people for being bad. It was a good system!

  194. My favorite teacher was my Home Ec teacher.  She was always looking out for me and helped be become an officer in a couple of the student clubs.  

  195. My favorite teacher was my english teacher my senior year. She made everything fun. She talked to us like adults and let us express ourselves however we wanted.
    Thanks

  196. Mrs. Jones, my 2nd grade teacher. She kept up with me all through highschool and checked in on me.

  197. MY RELIGION TEACHERS WERE ALWAYS GREAT AND I FELT SO BLESSED TO HAVE THEM. ALSO MY PE TEACHER BC SHE KEPT US ON OUR TOES 🙂

  198. My favorite teacher was my high school English teacher. He supported my love of writing and taught me so much. He prepared me properly for college and was always there to give advice and help.

  199. My 4th grade teacher, Mr Sisneros, was my favorite teacher, because he really loved teaching and his students.

  200. My 8th grade teacher was my favorite. She was very caring and kind to us students and I learned a lot from her that year. Thanks for having this contest.

  203. my 3rd grade teacher, because she was so sweet, and I still remember her perfume to this day

  204. My 5th grade teacher was my favorite. She made learning fun and was always fair to every child.

  205. Thanks for the giveaway… our favorite teacher is Mrs. Liz S. who teaches our daughter math & science; she makes these subjects such an enjoyable learning adventure that our daughter can’t wait to get to class, do assignments, outside reading, etc.

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