My High School English teacher passed away last night. She flew from a body that was sick and broken into the arms of Jesus.
Today, I have been watching as past classmates of mine have left notes of remembering and grief on Facebook. And it has been sweet to remember.
Of all the wonderful teachers I had during my many years at ICS (Intermountain Christian School) in Salt Lake, Mrs. Janice Meadows is the one I remember the most. Oh sure, I can remember Mr Benson teaching chemistry or editing the school yearbook with Mr. Gutman or even trying to pay attention in AP Calculus with Ms. Schaeffer. But Mrs. Meadows. . .well, she impacted my life in so many ways.
First of all, I can still see how her classroom was set up--with all the desks facing the chalkboard, her desk in the back and her wonderful bookshelf full of books just waiting to be read. I spent much time in front of those bookshelves trying to decide what book to read next. I can see her sitting at her desk while we all tried to figure out how to cut out all our "it is" and "there was" from our essays. I remember the 5 step revision process and I can still see being handed back an essay that I thought was pretty good that was literally covered with red ink.
She helped me to fall in love with classic literature, diagramming sentences, and the well-chosen word. She got me my first real teaching job tutoring 2 twins in grammar over summer vacation. (Man, I love grammar!) Through her classes I read Beowulf, Les Miserables, hordes of English literature, and even some American literature. One Friday she told us our next book was "A Prayer for Owen Meaney." I went to the bookstore that night and bought it. Over the weekend I devoured it. On Monday morning she announced a different book because a parent had complained about questionable content. I was very disappointed and a little confused.
In her classes and through her teaching I learned that I love to write, to express thoughts, ideas, and emotions with the written word, that I love story. She helped me discover the path that I am currently traveling.
I can still hear her voice and see her red marks as I write today. I cringe with every "there was" that I write because I know it is lazy, boring writing. And because of this one sweet woman, I will strive to do better.
Thank you Mrs. Meadows, for you inspired me and countless others to do our best, to not settle for lazy, uninspired words.
What a nice tribute to your teacher that now you are a writer. :)
ReplyDeleteBTW - A Prayer for Owen Meaney is great stuff. As is much of the "questionable" literature that has been banned from America's classrooms.
Sammy,
ReplyDeleteI linked here from your post on Mrs. Meadows' Facebook wall. What a great tribute to a lady who has impacted so many. I just finished up a tribute to her of my own (with the same title as yours, as it happens).
Thanks for sharing!
I hope you are well.
~Michael Gray
A well-written tribute...probably no greater gift to an English teacher than that!
ReplyDeleteIt was a blessed pleasure to meet you at the Festival of Faith & Writing last week. I pray that your home and writing life continue to be guided by the hand of God. Keep on with that book idea...it'll be a great and, as you said, fascinating one! :)