My Favorite Teaching Moment

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“My Favorite Teaching Moment”

On May 1, 2001 I received a message in my school mailbox that said “Cortney’s mom died.”  I hadn’t even known that her mother had been sick (she had cancer).  I tried to be there as much as possible for her during that time. She was only six years old.  On May 22, 2001 we had our award’s ceremony for first graders.  Many families of my students were there.  They sang and performed the song “That’s What Friends Are For”.  After the ceremony everyone went around to show their families their awards.  Cortney, rightfully, became sad because her mother was not there.  She stayed close by my side. I don’t know why it happened, but this video shows what I was moved to do.

(Click on the photo to watch the video of my favorite teaching moment!)

*“That’s What Friends Are For” has become one of my most memorable songs. I was honored to be able to be there for Cortney.  The ironic thing, though, is that I was absent the next day (May 23, 2001).  That is the day I was in the hospital and had to tell my mother that she had been diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.  I was devastated. Although I didn’t want to return to school the next day, it was the last day of school and I felt I owed it to my students. I returned to school on May 24 and the happiness and smile that usually existed was far from present.  The ONE THING that got me through that day was my students making a circle around me and singing “That’s What Friends Are For”.

Teaching is so much more than lessons in a book.  It’s about making a difference. It’s a hard job, but it’s also a very rewarding job.  Until you lives in the shoes of a teacher you will never know the joys of learning, the fear of failure and the potential to mold our future.  Please take the time to thank each and every teacher you know!

 

M.Y. August 2007

Fear

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“Fear”

Life is sometimes about getting over your fears.  I grew up in a predominately white church and sang in the Junior Choir. At the age of 12, I remember sitting in the choir during a service.  During that service the congregation was told that Cory, a girl just a year older than I, had been killed that morning.  Her passion was showing horses.  She had been at a horse show that morning and her horse threw her off and landed on her, crushing her skull.  From that moment forward, I had a fear of riding horses.

I was fine watching the KY Derby or the Steeplechase races that were held behind my house.  But, when I got within petting distance, I always had thoughts of Cory.  About three years ago, my boyfriend (at the time) and I took a trip to Baltimore.  One of the things we did was go horseback riding.  I was very nervous at first and wanted to stay as close to the guide as possible.  Whenever my horse would speed up, I would tighten up. Mr. Horsie, please don’t hurt me.  But, after about twenty minutes Ienjoyed it and really became at peace with the outing.

I went to Cumberland Falls this June and was once again presented the opportunity to go horseback riding.  And once again my first thought was of Cory. However, I now realize that what happened to her was a freak accident and I can’t let it affect the rest of my life.  I jumped on the horse with a quickness and enjoyed nature and its surroundings.   It was a soothing hour.  I learned that while I can be aware of other people’s situations, I must also understand that we all have different paths and experiences that will affect us in different ways.

M.Y.  August 2007

Ice Cream is Overrated

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‘Ice Cream is Overrated”

Last Wednesday (8/1) I had my tonsils removed.  The days leading up to the surgery I was nervous.  It was my first time being put to sleep and the support system I always had was no longer there.  I prayed the night before and woke up the day of surgery calm and ready. When I awoke from surgery my throat was sore.  The nurse gave me some water to drink.  OWW!  She gave me some liquid medicine.  Even a stronger OWW! ’Please don’t let me have this type of pain for two weeks!’

By the time I arrived at home, the medicine (hydrocodone) had kicked in.  I thought I’d be tired the rest of the day, but I stayed wide awake until 4am.  Water became my best friend and although my throat was sore, it wasn’t the ’death pain’ I’d heard from others.   Thursday I moved on to milkshakes and applesauce.  It was still very uncomfortable to swallow, but not terribly painful.  ‘Hey maybe I’m the wonder girl and my pain doesn’t exist!’……….. So, I stop taking my pain medicine.  BAD IDEA!!! By Friday afternoon my throat (and now ears) was throbbing.  I had to take my medicine every four hours just so the soft foods would go down.  This made me very loopy.  A friend found it exciting that I could swallow but not suck (get your head out of the gutter)

Monday was my worst day.  I couldn’t sleep all night.  I went to get a smoothie and couldn’t even drink it.  The pain shot straight to my ears.  It hurt to even swallow. ’I can’t stand this!  I changed my mind. I want my tonsils back!’ I had to spend a couple of hours yelling internally, crying outwardly and just being dissatisfied with the entire experience…and then I was fine.

I still haven’t been back to work this week and am taking my time with eating solid foods. I look at the two open wounds where my tonsil used to be and look forward to the scabs forming and falling off.  I’m sick of ice cream/smoothies/icees etc. They don’t soothe your throat, they just remind of the pain that exists in your mouth. I haven’t planned my first real meal, yet, because it would be just a tease. But, this too shall pass!

M.Y.  August 2007

Sisters

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“Sisters”

    Shannon is one of my best friends.  She is beautiful both inside and out.  We hang out on a regular basis. Each time we are out somewhere, someone will ask if we are sisters (they must not know I’m an only child). When we first started being asked, we thought the rest of Louisville was on some drug.  (Although a compliment) I think I look nothing like her. She thinks she looks nothing like me.  At her graduation in May, her Aunt came up to me and said, “If I didn’t know you weren’t related to us, I would have thought you were related to us!!”  WOW, that’s a serious statement.

Although unplanned, she and I showed up to an event recently wearing the same colors.  Looking at the picture I can now see some resemblance.  I think we both exude the same type of glow and both have loving and giving spirits.  We laugh and pray together in church, we likes to “Rock Ya Hips” all around Louisville (more her than me!), we share joys/pains and man issues, and she is there when I need her.  The dictionary defines sister as: a woman who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others. So, YES, I can guess I can say that Shannon is my sister!

 

M.Y.  July 2007

Secret

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“Secret”

I have a secret to tell you (it’s between you and me – please don’t share it with anyone else).  As you know, my last name is Yeager.  Since the beginning of time, I have grown accustomed to being at the end.  In school, my desk was the very last desk in the last row. When registering for conferences, my name tag was last. There was no need to flip through pages when voting, just go to the last page.  I became kinda territorial over my last name and placement in line.  I HAD TO BE LAST!  There was no pride in being 3rd, 4th or 5th from the bottom.  I hated going somewhere and there being a Greg Zitak or a Rose Young.

Toward the end of my junior year in high school, I realized that I would not graduate last from my class all because of guy named Marc Zorio.  How dare he! Who does he think he is? I was hurt.  My future graduation day would be ruined.  I had to do something.  I didn’t know the guy, so I didn’t want to bring him any harm.  He made it this far so I doubt he would fail his senior year.  Although graduation was a year away I had to devise a plan.  So what did I do?  I ran for Senior Class President!!  Why, you ask?  Because the Sr. Class President gets to receive the first diploma and graduate first!!!!   For my election speech I talked about bringing the class together for our most memorable yet and how I was fully dedicated.

I did become Sr. Class President and did actually enjoy the position….. but most importantly I walked with my head held high at the front of my class as I lead the procession of Waggener High School’s Class of 1994!

M.Y.  July 2007

The Hookup

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“The Hookup”

I went and visited my relatives in Detroit last weekend (the photo is of my cousins, uncle and I). It was nice to spend quality time with them. We all attended the wedding on 07-07-07 of my aunt’s godson, Mikey. Mikey has a large family and most were in attendance.   He was an Alpha at the University of Kansas so some of his frat brothers were in the wedding (most of whom were married). Well, about halfway through the reception, it was decided by many in attendance that I should be “hooked up” with the sole single groomsman.  The only things we had in common were that we were younger, African American, professional and single.  I tried to humor everyone and sat next to the dude to talk to him.  Although nice, just not my type.  Then it started: ”Would you two mind standing over by the pond for a picture?” “Why don’t you place your hand on her shoulder?”  Still no connection.  Then I received a “look and a wink” from the groom’s father, Clarence, as I watched him walk up to the DJ to request a slow song.  That didn’t work either, the dude doesn’t dance (he doesn’t even know the electric slide).  So I ended up dancing with Clarence.  After more nudges and ‘he seems like a guy nice’, I think people finally got the point that he and I would NOT be the next two at the alter……. I am a true believer that while there are a large number of people that can be wonderful friends/associates, there are only a handful that are meant to be the ‘end all/be all’.

M.Y. July 2007