Hey Dad! I did not realize you were a subscriber to my Substack!!! So cool. I would love to get together. My email is billsammons@comcast.net. Drop me an email with your phone number and let's make it happen soon.
I loved high school but it was tough too because I was bullied all 4 years. I had a Mr. Brown too and he saw me, gave me confidence and made such an impact on my life. Iām so thankful for teachers because they take the time to help their students. Two of our daughters are teachers and I love the stories they tell me about their students. A big shout out to teachers!!!š
Really enjoyed this one Bill. I have had a lot of Mr. Browns in my life at various times, but not one that stands out like yours. Have a great week brother!
Love this. I met my 'Mr Brown' in college in the form of Dr. Carl Toensmeyer who taught the marketing courses in the Ag Economics Department. He seemed to read me like a favorite book he'd read many times before...knowing exactly when and how to push me to work harder and live up to my potential (instead of being lazy and getting satisfied being good enough). The details don't matter, but he's the reason I ended up getting my master's degree and my PhD, as well as the inspiration behind the way I built my academic career and my subsequent speaking, coaching, and consulting business.
My mantra "Ask, Listen, Learn, and Earn the Right to Serve" was developed based largely on what I learned from him; and I will be forever grateful that we crossed paths. And even more grateful for him pushing me to discover what I was capable of doing which set the stage for me doing the same for my students and clients throughout my career.
I loved Mr. Brown. I was one of the ācool kidsā as I was part of the yearbookš I too changed schools but in the middle of 9th grade. Thrusted from Jr. High into Sr. High knowing only 1 person and an introvert. God provided friends and many fond memories of MHS.
I don't know that I had a Mr. Brown per se, but a teacher wrote this in my yearbook, "You've been given much, use it well." That has stayed with me all these decades later. For all I know he wrote that in everyone's yearbook! But it made an impact on my life.
A teacher can make or break a student. In the fifth grade I had one that didn't like me and belittles me in front of the class whenever she could. I never knew why. I wasn't misbehaving and I was doing the best I could with math which was her subject to teach. It got to the point where the verbal abuse was actually causing me some digestive issues. I told my dad. Dad had a conversation with the principal. The verbal abuse stopped. In contrast our son had a third grade teacher, Charlotte Sammons (not the correct spelling of last name but I can't recall it). Our son and a December birthday and was nearly a year younger than many if his classmates and it showed. He cried through kindergarten. Was behind in the first grade and stayed behind in the second grade. When Ms Charlotte took over my wife questioned her about why they were still going over last years spelling words. That led to a commitment from Ms. Charlotte that she would have him on third grade level by the end of the school year. By the end of the year he was at fifth grade level and never looked back. When he was graduating as valedictorian I went to West Seaford Elementary School and thanked her for putting him on the course to success in life. Sadly she said no one had ever done that before although I'm sure she deserved it.
Hey Dad! I did not realize you were a subscriber to my Substack!!! So cool. I would love to get together. My email is billsammons@comcast.net. Drop me an email with your phone number and let's make it happen soon.
I loved high school but it was tough too because I was bullied all 4 years. I had a Mr. Brown too and he saw me, gave me confidence and made such an impact on my life. Iām so thankful for teachers because they take the time to help their students. Two of our daughters are teachers and I love the stories they tell me about their students. A big shout out to teachers!!!š
Really enjoyed this one Bill. I have had a lot of Mr. Browns in my life at various times, but not one that stands out like yours. Have a great week brother!
Love this. I met my 'Mr Brown' in college in the form of Dr. Carl Toensmeyer who taught the marketing courses in the Ag Economics Department. He seemed to read me like a favorite book he'd read many times before...knowing exactly when and how to push me to work harder and live up to my potential (instead of being lazy and getting satisfied being good enough). The details don't matter, but he's the reason I ended up getting my master's degree and my PhD, as well as the inspiration behind the way I built my academic career and my subsequent speaking, coaching, and consulting business.
My mantra "Ask, Listen, Learn, and Earn the Right to Serve" was developed based largely on what I learned from him; and I will be forever grateful that we crossed paths. And even more grateful for him pushing me to discover what I was capable of doing which set the stage for me doing the same for my students and clients throughout my career.
I loved Mr. Brown. I was one of the ācool kidsā as I was part of the yearbookš I too changed schools but in the middle of 9th grade. Thrusted from Jr. High into Sr. High knowing only 1 person and an introvert. God provided friends and many fond memories of MHS.
I don't know that I had a Mr. Brown per se, but a teacher wrote this in my yearbook, "You've been given much, use it well." That has stayed with me all these decades later. For all I know he wrote that in everyone's yearbook! But it made an impact on my life.
A teacher can make or break a student. In the fifth grade I had one that didn't like me and belittles me in front of the class whenever she could. I never knew why. I wasn't misbehaving and I was doing the best I could with math which was her subject to teach. It got to the point where the verbal abuse was actually causing me some digestive issues. I told my dad. Dad had a conversation with the principal. The verbal abuse stopped. In contrast our son had a third grade teacher, Charlotte Sammons (not the correct spelling of last name but I can't recall it). Our son and a December birthday and was nearly a year younger than many if his classmates and it showed. He cried through kindergarten. Was behind in the first grade and stayed behind in the second grade. When Ms Charlotte took over my wife questioned her about why they were still going over last years spelling words. That led to a commitment from Ms. Charlotte that she would have him on third grade level by the end of the school year. By the end of the year he was at fifth grade level and never looked back. When he was graduating as valedictorian I went to West Seaford Elementary School and thanked her for putting him on the course to success in life. Sadly she said no one had ever done that before although I'm sure she deserved it.
Great story! And very sad you were the first to thank her.
I think about those days quite often. I would love to get together with you sometime and catch up.