These teacher memory posts really show how much power a teacher has to shape an impressionable young mind. It’s a sacred trust.
A sentiment I absolutely agree with. Despite having one really bad and a few “meh” teachers, the rest were very good and one was exceptional. My 2nd grade teacher, instead of games and nonsense, had a collection of science-oriented hands-on materials in the back of the room where we could spend time between or after assignments. This was in the late 50s when the space race was just getting started and science and technology was at the forefront. There were other things, but for me, the attraction was to the wires, batteries, light bulbs, knife switches, and associated electrical paraphernalia she provided. I would race to complete my work so I could play with the stuff and make things which was the start of a career and lifetime passion for electronics.
I’m sure that’s exactly what she hoped would happen, but I’m equally sure most of the time teachers never know what impact they actually had. So even though it’s too late for me to thank her, the next best thing is to recognize good teachers here and now when we see them, and hope it all balances out somehow. That is why I invested a good bit of time and energy into robotics competitions with my local school district, my way of paying it back.