One of the ESPN channels was on another TV and I had a brief glimpse of Deron Williams as Team USA, the American Basketball team for the 2008 Olympics, was being featured. Deron is also a starter for the Utah Jazz.
I taught Elizabeth Showers at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, TX back in the mid-to-late-1980's. I taught Deron Williams at The Colony High School in The Colony, TX in his sophomore year, 1999-2000. I taught both of them Geometry.
I'm sure Elizabeth and Deron BOTH owe their particular successes to their Geometry teacher! At least, that is what I imagined they were saying as I saw them side-by-side on those TV's in the gym. In honesty .... neither one probably remembers me very much. Yet I wanted to shout to the gym, "Look!! They were my students!! Look!!! They are famous!!". I resisted the urge. For one thing, neither of them were on their respective TV screen for very long once I spotted them. For another thing, almost everybody in the gym wears an MP3 device of some sort. So I could have shouted .... but no one would have noticed at all.
Instead, I just quietly felt proud. I refer to these two people as my "claim to fame." I taught them and they are now famous. In actuality, they are more like my "brush with fame way before they they were famous". Way back when they were my students, they were just a face among 30 in the classroom ... although Elizabeth always had a strikingly beautiful face .... and Deron was always certain he would play for the NBA.
Over the 22 years I spent as a Math teacher, I taught roughly 180 students a year. 180 students times 22 years equals 3,960 students. Of those 3,960 students, Elizabeth was not the only beautiful face I saw and Deron certainly was not the only young man certain of a future in Pro-Sports. These two young people went on to become very successful adults ... and I am proud to say "I knew them when ...".
So are an NBA star and a noted Jewelry designer really my "Claim to Fame"? As I was swimming laps a couple of days ago, I started thinking about that statement. (Swimming isn't difficult for me, so once I get in a "zone" I can think deep thoughts while doing my laps.) I taught roughly 3,960 students and I am only claiming 2 of them because they became famous? What about the other 3,958 or so students who passed through my classroom doors? Are they Chopped Liver? NO! These students are my true Claim to Fame.
Every student who left my classroom and went on to college and completed their degree successfully is my Claim to Fame.
Every student who is now gainfully employed and paying taxes is my Claim to Fame.
Every student who joined the military and served their time, even in a time of war .... ESPECIALLY in a time of war ... is my Claim to Fame.
Every student who is now married and raising a family is my Claim to Fame.
Every student who has gone on to become a teacher is my Claim to Fame. I am especially touched by the students who have taken the time to find me, in person, or online, and tell me that they became a teacher because of MY teaching.
Every student who adds me as a "Friend" on Facebook or Myspace, because they remember me fondly, is my Claim to Fame.
Mind you .... over the years, I have had students end up in Prison. One killed a police officer, more than one committed Grand Theft Auto, several got involved in drugs or alcohol, some dropped out of school ..... I have to claim these students, too. I didn't cause them to do what they did ... but I didn't stop them either.
I didn't cause Elizabeth and Deron to go on to fame and fortune ... but I didn't stop THEM either! Thank goodness!
It is said that "Teachers Touch Lives 4ever" .... but it is a two-way street. My students have also touched my life forever.
If you are reading this, and you have a teacher who was especially special to you ... try to find him or her. The internet makes this a lot easier!! Send them an email or give them a call ... and let them know they affected your life! They may consider YOU to be their "Claim to Fame"!
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