Note: Debra Howell, a recent inductee to the Teacher Hall of Fame, authored this guest blog.
This past June I experienced something that I wish all teachers could feel about being an educator. Along with four other educators from across the United States (South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and Indiana) I was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame (NTHF). Being chosen was and continues to be something I am profoundly proud of.
The NTHF celebrated their 20th year of inductions. The five days I spent there will always remain some of my proudest days of being an educator. The town, the citizens, the university, the board members…everyone we met treated us like royalty! My family as well was treated with the utmost respect and honor. No matter where they went they were given extra special treatment. Imagine that, family members of teachers being treated like royalty? Why shouldn’t that be the norm?
Everywhere the five of us traveled we were treated with honor and pride because we were teachers. One of the most unique activities we participated in was a large community band evening concert that played in the center of the town in a huge park. There were over 600 people that convened to come and celebrate teaching! People were in line to get free root beer floats while the Santé Fe railroad came steaming by the edge of the park blasting its horns. It was spectacular! It was a bit like being in Mayberry RFD! After they introduced us to the crowd we received such a rousing applause and standing ovation that I was really taken aback. As we walked through the crowd the many comments I heard were, “thank you for teaching our kids” and “we are so proud of you teachers”. It was then that I realized we were not there just to represent ourselves, our school and our community. No, we were being honored as teachers that represent ALL educators across the country.
The city of Emporia is so proud to host the National Teacher Hall of Fame and the induction activities and ceremony. I truly appreciated the respect and honor they showed for ALL teachers… I have NEVER been prouder to be an educator! I left Kansas with a renewed sense of pride in my chosen profession. I have a heightened sense of the importance of working with kids and being a positive contributor to our society. I hope to carry that into the remaining years and help spread that sense of pride.
In light of all the teacher cuts, decrease in pay, larger class size, and fewer support staff to help us…I am still left with the feeling that the greater community DOES still value teachers. They do believe we are making a difference. They do respect us. There is a sense of honor for educators.
If you would like to find out more about the National Teacher Hall of Fame check out their web site at www.nthf.org. You must have 20 or more years of teaching experience in order to be nominated. The forms and additional nomination details are available there. Think about nominating someone you think is deserving of this honor.
Debra Rose Howell, NBCT
Monte Cristo Elementary 4-5-6 Multiage Teacher Granite Falls SD
Yes, well done. And deserved.
This is excellent. Well done!
Debra, congrats and thanks for sharing this experience. About this time in the school year, it’s nice to read reminders that we and the work we do is still valued by someone, somewhere! I wonder if the schools in Emporia have trouble finding applicants for teaching positions–I doubt it.