Monday, January 10, 2011
Sadly, I just found out the news that a teacher who had a profound impact on my life is no longer with us. To her family, I would like to share what I was hoping to share with her. In 1973, I was in his first first grade class. I was the only black kid. I was bullied for it but she was the light in that year. Even when I was no longer her student she looked out for me, inviting me back to read to her students. Always being a source of empowerment. My family moved away but I never forgot her. I went on to graduate from Kenyon College in Ohio with a degree in English and the University of Pennsylvania with a master's degree in teaching secondary English. I recently was nominated for a WGAL Teacher Impact Award and am currently in my 17th year teaching middle school English. I am also an adjunct writing professor at the College of New Jersey. When asked who my favorite teacher was June Assenheimer was always my answer because of her nurturing spirit that made a lonely speck of pepper welcome in a sometimes unwelcoming sea of salt. To her children, I try to honor her memory by being the teacher I am because she was my teacher all those many years ago.
