To the editor:
The beginning of another school year invites us to reflect upon the importance of teachers.
Though they may occasionally fall short like other human beings, teachers do influence youth, who are the hope of the future. For through their classes pass future doctors, farmers, secretaries, computer operators, scientists, lawyers, parents, priests, nuns, engineers, and other shapers of tomorrow’s world.
Thomas Aquinas wrote that love is the desire and ability to promote the good of another. Each school day teachers try to promote the good of their students and help them to grow into tomorrow. They and others who work with youth are role models and should be appreciated.
A man wrote a note of thanksgiving to his former teacher who helped him immensely. Gratefully, she wrote back saying that she lived alone in a small room where she lingered like the last leaf of summer.
She added that she taught for 50 years and his letter was the first note of appreciation she ever received. It came on a blue morning and cheered her as nothing had in years.
Hopefully teachers are thanked more than she was. To teachers who taught me and others, I don’t know how you did it, but thank you.
Fr. Don Lange, Sinsinawa