Teachers

I jokingly say I became a teacher just so I could stay up late with my wife and daughter during the summer time. We're all night owls. But I have come to enjoy working with students. I learn from them. They teach me as much as I teach them.

When someone asks "What do you teach?" I always hesitate a moment. Hmmm ... do they want my class, or WHAT I teach???

One student said ... "Mr Rine, your class was easy and I learned a lot ... and not just about photography." Another said ... "I learned a lot from you and I wasn't even officially your student."

So, what do I teach? Life.

Simply put ... Be nice to others. Give advice. Share experiences. The effort and the thought is more important than the grade. Learn from your mistakes - and the mistakes of others. Courage and integrity count - a lot! Manners are ALWAYS important (Please and thank you, yes ma'am, and no sir)! Treat others as you'd like for them to treat, not you - but your mother! Frown a little and laugh a lot!!! Forgive others. Apologize whether you were wrong ... or not. Ask, because the worst that can happen is they say "no."

Finally - the day you stop learning is the day you die!

The teachers I credit with my success(es) are:

Ruth van Wagoner (3rd grade – stocks), Alan Hershberger (6th grade – photography), Wally Skinner (8th grade – history and trivia), Carrie Olson 10th and 11th grade – speech and debate), Marianne Weiss (12th grade – speech), Jim Chronowski (11th grade – history and HS baseball coach), Bill Hawley (HS Athletics – basketball coach), Cheryl Cooke (12th grade – English), Robert Eike (JH Band), Jim Hargett (HS Band).

In college, Joe Beck, Betty Dunlap, Bob Summers, and Bob Eubanks for Radio/TV, Doug Ferdon, Cassy Burleson Jordan and Roy Clark in Journalism, Dr. J. Madison Wolfe in Photography, Ralph Pease in English, Richard Bennett in Speech, and some lady who taught business communications.

When I went into teaching, Susan Pinto and Carolyn Wessels came into my life as part of the Region IV Alternative Certification Program. "How many think your main job as a teacher is to teach the 'Three R's' ... ?" All our hands went up. "Wrong! Your job is to give your students a safe and structured place to visit every day, give them 30 minutes for lunch, and for God's sake, get them out the right door in the evening. If you do THAT, the 'Three R's' will take care of themselves!" There were two others, and I can't recall their names. But one said, "Do your research in the summer so you know how to relate to your kids all year long ... learn the music, the books, the shows, the singers, the phrases, the brands, the lingo, the culture."

Jim Smith was one of the first teachers for whom I subbed when I started my ACP course ... he's been a friend and mentor and great example on dealing with HS kids. Amber Barbee was one of my wife's students at Meyer Elementary and she taught me a lot about how to run a classroom - Harry Wong come to life. Mrs. T took me under her wing and hired me for summer school because " ... I knew I wouldn't have to worry." Tom Rowland gave me my first full-time job - he complimented me when I did good and kicked my behind when I messed up. But it was always professional, never personal. He also said I was the only person who brought a poster (not just a letter - a poster) of recommendation from Mario Andretti with him!

My mother was a teacher and I had her as a sub for only one day (whew). I have learned a lot from her through the years. My dad was an "Instructor of Ground Passenger Service Personnel" and one of my Boy Scout leaders ... and even signed off on a merit badge for me. I'll count him as one of the best teachers as well.

My wife has now taught school for 31 years. She's taught me a LOT about teaching and classroom management. About presentations and dealing with others. The biggest lesson - when asking a student to conference with you, say "Johnny, I need to speak with you - you're not in trouble" ... unless, of course, they ARE in trouble. Her comment - think about it. When your boss calls you in, you're running through your mind "what did I do?" Just alleviate that with the student right up front.

And then there were the aunts and uncles and cousins who have taught for years! Reno, Sissie, Uncle Bob, Debbie Fox, Dr. Sherry Ireland ... it runs in both sides of the family.

I have just in the past few months reconnected with Carrie Olson and Cassy Burleson. What a joy!

The possibility that 30 – 40 years from now someone will say that I had an impact on their lives is truly humbling.