This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. I’ve been motivated, inspired, and changed by the teachers who have been (and are) in my life.

Here, I’d like to thank just a few who are part of making me who I am today–both as a teacher myself and as an individual. (Inevitably, I’ve left out names that have impacted me in major ways, but I wanted to name names, to be direct, so I had to be picky. I didn’t want to simply say “My English Department”, for example, no matter how true that is. Ask me tomorrow, I’d come up with more names for each category.)

I don’t know how things catch fire and become digitally viral, but I would LOVE it if teacher appreciation did just that. So, if you want to give appreciation, fill out this form: Teacher Appreciation. Tell the world what teacher you appreciate.

My Colleagues of Spring Lake Public:
*Joe Sinn–I appreciate the way he uses humor and literary skill to teach
*Mark Webster–I appreciate the way he is passionate in the educational political arena
*Kent Higgs–I appreciate our hallway conversations and how he uses technology in his math classroom
*Eric Kipling–I appreciate his passion and his honesty
*Garth Trask–I appreciate his motivation, his willingness to help me by asking me thought-provoking questions

Former Teachers:
*PH (Paul Wolbrink)–I appreciate the way he celebrated my work
*Sandy Clark–I appreciate the way she pushed me to read challenging literature
*Pat Foley–I appreciate how he got me to open up, to be confident in my own skin
*Daina Robins–I appreciate her for giving me tough love–followed by love
*Mary Bolt–I appreciate her being my security blanket in my challenging move from Iowa to Michigan back in 3rd grade

Current Teachers in Other Districts:
*Greg Kobylak (Fruitport)–I appreciate his passion for his subject and for our candid conversations on the state of education
*Trent Klairter (Reeths Puffer)–I appreciate his energy
*Erica Beaton (Cedar Springs)–I appreciate her encouragement in keeping me moving forward
*Kelly VanderHoek (Coopersville)–I appreciate her connection to kids and her willingness to learn
*Lindsey Boyle (East Kentwood)–I appreciate her fire; it’s contagious

The Pros Who Have Taught Me:
*Penny Kittle–I appreciate her for modeling high-quality teaching
*Kelly Gallagher–I appreciate his deep concern for the quality of reading we do in our schools
*Jeff Anderson–I appreciate the energy and passion he brings to technique
*Brene Brown–I appreciate her reminder to “Dare Greatly”
*Emily Bazelon–I appreciate her willingness to connect with her readers