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We all have had those special teachers who taught us more than just the core curriculum, they taught us life lessons. These are the teachers of life – the ones who have gone beyond their borders to educate us in ways that will benefit us for the future. Teachers mold us and make us grow. Though a good teacher can teach you the basics, a great teacher will teach you something that you will remember for the rest of your life Growing up I had several teachers who influenced me and taught me valuable lessons in and out of the classroom.

First, there was Mrs. Barbara Clark who was my 4th grade teacher. She always started our day off with the Pledge of Allegiance then a prayer. Why this stands out so much to me I’m not quite sure. Perhaps it was her smile and positivity that she brought to the room each day. You felt her kindness and patience that she demonstrated daily to each and every student in her class and she always gave the best hugs. I was saddened to hear of her recent passing but I am sure of her heavenly reward she is enjoying now.

Another very influential teacher I had in school was Mrs. Linda Rainbolt who was my Creative Writing/English teacher for 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Ironically, I wasn’t crazy about her the first day of class. She was quite strict and everything I wrote she marked up with a red pen and told me I could do better. I can remember thinking “Ok this is a lot better. She won’t have anything to mark up.” Then I’d get my paper back and I’d have red marks all over it. Occasionally, she would even cross out the adjective I had used and put in a more descriptive one. Ironically, that’s how she ended up being one of my favorite teachers. She crossed out my “smartness” and made me “keen and clever.” Who knew I would end up writing for a living a little later in life.

Mrs. Imogene Duvall was also one of my favorite Advanced Math/Algebra teachers. She was always so pleasant and patient as she explained quadratic equations, constants and variables. It’s funny how algebra, much like life, is divided into different subdivisions such as elementary, advanced algebra, abstract, linear and finally commutative algebra. Funny fact, Mrs. Duvall was also a carrier pigeon between Checotah High School and Checotah Middle School because she would bring me little notes from Bobby Rhodes (my husband now but boyfriend then) and I would send other notes back. So, I credit her for marrying him.

I have also had teachers/mentors later in my life too. Ms. Emmy Stidham was one of those mentors that definitely had a defining impact on my life since I started working for the local newspaper. She was always schooling me on the history of Checotah and the uniqueness of the people who had lived here or who still live here. When Ms. Emmy would open up her mouth to tell you a little information for the paper you had better pull out your recorder or grab a pen and notebook. It was amazing that even when she was 95 years old she was still teaching a lot of us how to be leaders in our community by first being a servant to others.

Last but never least, my greatest teacher of all time is my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He daily teaches me through His Word that what matters in this life is knowing Him personally, asking Him into your heart and fulfilling your purpose in this life. Maybe that’s why saying a prayer in Mrs. Clark’s classroom meant so much to me and why learning how to write in Mrs. Rainbolt’s was preparing me for writing this column and other stories that I do today. Perhaps Mrs. Duvall was part of God’s design so I would later marry the boy I got little notes from in class, while Ms. Emmy was the example of the influential community leader I should inspire to become. Yes, these are just some of my teachers of life and I am grateful that they were intricate parts of His bigger plans for my life. May we all give honor to all of our great teachers of life.