Teacher's that Impacted Us *PLUS* Win a Free Laminator for Your School

Today I want to do something a little bit different... I want to talk about the teachers, aides, assistants, principals, yard duties / monitors, and other school staff members that have impacted our individual team members in a positive way. So I interviewed some of our team about someone from their schooling years who had a positive influence on them, and here is what I learned from each of them...

Shannon, e-Commerce Manager: "Sister Sharon was my Science teacher at St. Jeanne de Lestonnac between 5^th and 8^th grades. She was a fierce nun that I swear had eyes in the back of her head! Although all of the students were scared of her, including me, I secretly looked forward to her class. Sister Sharon had a way of engaging us that demanded respect but also brought out the best in me. It was sad saying goodbye when it was time to go to high school. Moving ahead a couple of years, I landed myself in some trouble with a new group of friends. My mother, knowing Sister Sharon’s intimidating reputation, arranged a meeting between me and my old Science teacher to discuss my behavior. So embarrassing! My punishment was to work in her classroom every day after school for months. Those months are one of the best memories of my life. She never made me feel like a bad person. She showed me by example, how to live life positively and how to be a leader rather than a follower. Thank you, Sister."

Korin, Marketing Coordinator: When I was a sophomore, I remembered how terrifying it was to be a freshmen in a new school, so my more outspoken friends and I took it upon ourselves to greet any new comer and tell them if they don’t want to sit alone at lunch they can hang with us. Since I knew being a lesbian was still touchy and might get around since my high school was small & had just opened (I was in the 2nd graduating class) I would let them know right away - “I’m a lesbian and if you’re uncomfortable with that you can always let me know & I will respect your space.” I was welcomed with open arms – for the most part. A few months into the school year, we are waiting to be called up to go to homeroom. My class was called up but the principal stopped me and told me to wait to the side. I was confused because I was a good kid – good grades, not a trouble maker, etc. After all the classes were called my principal turns to me and tells me to stop hanging out with the freshman because she doesn’t want her school to be known as the gay school. I was so confused and hurt because I did everything in my power to be nice and respectful to anyone I came across. She excused me and as I get to my homeroom, my teacher was talking with our science teacher Mrs. Morel. At that moment I already knew the school staff was very well aware of what had happened. See, Morel and I didn’t always get along (she thought I was a slacker lol) but that morning she looked at me, gave me a hug – in which I immediately started bawling my eyes out – and told me that it’s okay. That everything will be ok & I had nothing to worry about. For the simple fact that Mrs. Morel acknowledged me and my feelings I don’t think I would have had the same confidence as I did during high school. I was the first person in my high school to come out. The beautiful thing about it was that kids who were afraid to come out came to me to ask for advice. It really only takes one person to make a difference in someone’s life."

Bill, Marketing Director: "Advanced global history with Mr. Bley. Perhaps one of the most difficult classes ever taken. Why? Because good was never good enough. If you were asked a question requiring fact, and you started a reply with “I think...”, Captain Bley (as we called him behind his back) would cut you off and say “don’t think! You either know or you don’t know” He modeled himself as a Professor Kingsfield type from the Paperchase. And yet all his methods made us do exactly as he really wanted... Think, Analyze, Report, Communicate. All within the context of history and the lessons it should teach us. All these skills prepared me well for college and the same ones I bring to my professional life every day. When I reminisce with old classmates, we remember as though yesterday and say 'Thank you, Captain'".

Tiffany, Sales Specialist: I had a lot of really wonderful teachers so it was difficult to choose just one. I decided write about my great, great aunt “Louise” who I consider to be my first teacher. She taught and was an administrator in the New York City Public school system for many years. She dedicated her life to her students and the children of her community. She was known to spend her own money to purchase coats or other necessities for local children. I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with Aunt Louise. She was long retired but was still a teacher at heart. She fostered my love for reading by giving her many outdated basal readers to me before I even started elementary school. Aunt Louise also encouraged me to be resourceful and creative. I made countless art projects with items I found around her house. At the time, I thought we were just having fun and passing time. As an adult, I realize how important it is to be able to work with what you have. It is a lesson I carry with me to this day and made great use of during my time in the education field. I am eternally grateful for my aunt and the many teachers like her."

Mallory, Content Specialist: "The person that probably made the biggest impact on me while I was in school was my 11th grade high school English teacher. English had been my favorite subject for some time (with the exception of dance class), but Mrs. Shifman was the first teacher who truly noticed my writing, and helped me hone-in my skills. To this day I still correct the improper use of homophones, as well as the common mistakes associated with the use of "I" vs. "me" (yeeeeeeah, I am one of those). I also recall being assigned to create a poetry book with a team of students...well, I was incredibly shy in school, and feeling intimidated by the idea of sharing my personal poetry with my peers. She helped ease my nervousness with genuine support and feedback, and brought out some of the best stuff I had ever written. I didn't even have to ask...she could tell by my posture and flushed face that I needed reassurance, and she provided it. What a shining example for a teacher, leader, and guide she was to me -- and I thank her for that!"

We're currently offering a giveaway of a free desktop pouch laminator to a school of your choice as a way to say thank you to someone who has made an impact on you. Click the image below to learn how to enter the giveaway and win a SprinterLam Laminating machine for a great K12 school of your choice.

About the Author • Mallory Morsa is the product expert and content specialist at Binding101, and has been a valued team member since 2008. She started her career here in customer service, moved onto sales supervisor, product management, and then onto content. She takes a hands-on approach to products, and truly gets to know how every item works before she writes about them, with a goal to give you all of the honest information you need to make a confident buying decision. She has a bachelor's degree with a focus on management and marketing, and has been a writer, photographer, and videographer for many years. In her free time, she loves to read by the pool, volunteer at the local animal shelter in the kitten nursery, and snuggle her three furbabies while she binge watches Netflix.