Yes, it’s Friday and thank goodness! I have spent the entire week getting ready for a monumental event in our household. My baby graduates high school tomorrow. It is hard to believe that this is the same little girl that headed out to preschool some 15 years ago in her little frilly dress and black patent leather shoes. Grade school was fun, and I spent most of my time then as a volunteer at school. She floundered a little in 6th grade, was moved around in the 7th to be in classes with the honor students, but not doing the honor’s curriculum. A dear friend of mine taught 8th grade and requested to have Mallory in her class. Upon reviewing her grades and test scores, my friend called me and said “Sherry, this girl needs to be moved into honor classes and I’m moving her now.” What a god send. Come to find out, Mallory was bored. One teacher, having the foresight to look into a student’s history, changed the entire educational experience for my daughter. Mallory has excelled from that point on, taking honors classes all through high school, belonging to Anchor Club and National Honor Society. She has also played varsity tennis and soccer.

Last Sunday, the high school honored those students in the top 10% of the class. The students were requested to invite the teacher that had made the most impact on them during their school years. Mallory invited her 8th grade teacher. I could not think of a more fitting tribute to a teacher, who was delighted to attend the luncheon with Mallory; stating she had been to the luncheon many times before, but none was more special than this year’s. She has watched Mallory grow up through the years. Spent many hours with her inside and outside the classroom. She has given her advice on high school classes, what college dorm to live in, and I’m sure (even though they would not admit it) about boys. How lucky for Mallory that she had a teacher who was so instrumental in changing the path of her education.

I think I have digressed. I wanted to talk about having my youngest daughter graduating and leaving home, but I find talking about the educator that made such an impact on her more important. If it wasn’t for Mallory’s 8th grade teacher, I doubt very seriously Mallory would have attained the achievements that she did in high school. I feel so blessed that one educator picked up a child that was spinning into an abyss, saw her potential and truly made a difference in the life of that child.

Here is a picture of Mallory and her teacher:

What a delightful day we had together and I am so glad that I got to spend time with such a formidable educator as well as an old friend.

I suppose my story of Mallory preparing to leave home will have to wait until another day. Maybe when it finally hits mom that the empty nest is looming!

. . . . and if I get some stamping done later, I’ll be back to show you!