What Teacher Has Inspired You? Watch #RealChange Sponsored by @OfficeDepot To Support Teachers!

 

I was asked to think about the teacher that inspired me while growing up and at first it was quite difficult to remember anyone specific as I finished school in the last century!. But I did remember my 7th grade homeroom teacher, Mrs. Amrod.

In the olden days, or at least the area I grew up in, middle school started in 7th grade and went through 9th. My son’s middle school starts in 6th grade, so it will be a very different experience for him as that 1 year in age difference is a big one, especially in relation to physical development, which then affects everything else.

Growing up in Rockland County, NY, was tough enough as it was a newly built suburbia. Leaving my elementary school to go to a much bigger school,  a Junior High School, mixed with other kids that knew each other from their respective elementary schools, was a big challenge for me. In those days I was quite shy. I am sure you will not be able to find 1 person who knows me today who would believe that, but it is true. Add to that the physical changes, the changes in environment, and the many new students I was now with, made it a challenging year.

Mrs. Amrod was “cool.” I remember her telling us she had a son our age. That is probably one reason she was able to relate so well to us in that grade. I was used to more detached uptight teachers from my elementary school, so this was quite a relief to have a teacher who also acted as a calming influence on the crazy 7th graders in her class – and that was all of us! By the way, except for Mr. & Mrs. Mondt, the married Art and German teachers, who were Mrs. Amrod’s friends, I cannot recall the name of any other teacher from Kakiat Junior High School!

I would love to hear about the teacher or teachers that inspired you. As a parent I am watching closely to see which teachers inspire my son. Luckily his 4th grade teacher is one he likes very much, so much so that in this past week of insane standardized tests, somehow my son has become inspired enough to start writing a book!

Office Depot is sponsoring this post so I can bring to your attention the upcoming show, Real Change. Office Depot® is a proud sponsor of this star-studded event to support teachers and schools and I hope you will watch and help where you can. The airing of REAL Change will be on your local CBS affiliate April 23:

 

 

I have written before, now that I am a parent to a public school student, that it is mind boggling how aid to public education seems to be the first thing cut anytime there is a budget deficit. Mind boggling because all the Board of Education seems to do is raise standards: this year they instituted a tough curriculum and then canceled pre-K in my school, doesn’t that seem counter intuitive?. It seems public education is not a priority even though it sure sounds important when politicians are making speeches. That’s why we have to support teachers, teachers change lives when they inspire our children.

Again, Office Depot is the proud sponsor of this star-studded Artists for Education TV Special, and again, it is airing this Tuesday. Check your local CBS listings or watch exclusively online at www.officedepot.com/realchange, this will prove to be an emotional TV special featuring top musical acts, highlighting the heroic role of education and teachers. I hope it inspires all of us to help and support our teachers even more!

Office Depot is a “presenting sponsor” of the REAL Change broadcast and official retail partner; they are a retailer that gets school – that cares about teachers! I am so happy to have this set on my DVR!

Disclosure: I am an Office Depot REAL Change blog ambassador. This post is part of a campaign where I was compensated for my time. To learn more about REAL Change, visit their website. All opinions are always 100% honest and our own.