Honoring the Heart of Education
Every year, the first full week of May is set aside to celebrate one of the most crucial pillars of society: teachers. Teacher Appreciation Week is a time to express gratitude for the educators who shape minds, inspire curiosity and empower future generations. Let’s explore the history, significance, and ways to celebrate this special week.
The tradition of honoring teachers dates back to the mid-20th century. First proposed by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1953, National Teacher Day was originally observed on March 7th. It wasn’t until 1985 that the National Parent-Teacher Association designated the first full week of May as Teacher Ap-
SEE TEACHER APPRECIATION, PAGE A10 preciation Week, providing a broader opportunity to recognize the dedication and hard work of educators.
Teachers don’t just impart academic knowledge; they nurture social skills, foster creativity, and build self-esteem. They often serve as mentors, helping students overcome challenges both in and outside the classroom. In many cases, educators act as role models and guide students toward realizing their full potential.
During Teacher Appreciation Week, it’s inspiring to reflect on the passion and dedication of educators like Mrs. Bookout. From a young age, she knew that teaching was her calling, inspired by her father’s influence as a teacher. Growing up in a household where education was second only to faith, she understood the importance of learning and sought to make every student feel special. Despite students sometimes lacking confidence in certain subjects, Mrs. Bookout encouraged them to recognize their unique talents, helping each child discover their potential and build self-assurance.
Linda Beard took a different path, though she always knew she wanted to be a teacher and even studied for two years to become one, Beard ventured into a career in data processing before finding her way back to her passion for education. She embraced her role as a kindergarten teacher, where she spent nearly 30 years nurturing young minds and guiding them through their formative years. Her joy in seeing former students achieve great things and graduate with honors is a testament to the profound and lasting impact she had on their lives.
Debbie Golden, one of the few women in agricultural education in the 1980s, one of three out of 450, made significant strides in breaking barriers. Guided by her high school agriculture teacher, she pursued a career that allowed her to blend her love of plants and teaching. Golden eventually became the Director of Agriculture at Connors State College, where she mentors students interested in horticulture. She’s proud to see the field grow to embrace diverse roles, welcoming women and expanding beyond traditional farming. Her unwavering support and belief in students’ potential exemplify the profound difference that passionate educators can make in shaping lives and futures.
Reflecting on the teachers who influenced me, like my Aunt Pamela Mc-Gee who taught kindergarten at Beggs Elementary; Lena Liggins, my fourth grade teacher and Pearlie Daniels, my second grade teacher, also teachers at Beggs Elementary, made me feel seen and as the awkward kid their notice of me helped to shape me. My choir teachers Barbara Claus, Robert Jones and Jerry Moore, pushed me to excel with singing. Always requiring more of me because they saw I had it to give.
Craig Brydges, my drama and speech coach and Coach Gene Walters both had to deal with my shenanigans. Coach Walters was the first teacher to ever make me enjoy math! I’m a person who learns by doing and he would allow me to work problems out on the board. That approach helped me embrace my learning style.
This reflection made me curious about my classmates’ experiences with influential teachers, so I asked them to share which educators left a lasting impact on them. Here’s what they had to say.
“Mr Brydges … he was a cool down to earth guy. My elementary ones are Mrs. Brown 1st, Miss Summy 2nd, Mrs Downing 3rd, Mrs Hunnitcutt 4th all at Westside” – Shika Evans “Mrs Collins first grade will forever be my favorite teacher.” – Josh Horrall “Patti Tackett was not a teacher but helped me tremendously! I am sure there are many more that would say the same thing. She even opened up her home to me.” – Amanda R Taylor “Mr. Scott..I believe his first name was Mike? Math teacher at OMS. Took time with me AFTER school to tutor me … for free … even when I got to high school. Dopeness.” – Bre Pierce “Coach Snyder and Mrs Smith were my fav. Idk why they were my favorites. I just really looked forward going to class.” – Deon Pollard “I often speak of Mrs. Laverne Hampton and the impact she had on me with my family. If I had to describe her with one word I would say “sophisticated.” She was always so proper with the way she carried herself as a teacher and as a person.” Randy Clayton Bart Bailey says his favorites were “Mrs Donathan, Mrs Thomas and Mrs Volturo.”
“I would say Coach Taylor, he made English fun. He was always funny.” Denise Kanada “Coach Taylor made learning English fun and opened my world up to reading for the fun of it! Not to mention boosted my vocabulary bank lol he was pretty cool!” – Larissa Jones “I really liked them all. But Mrs Volturo’s class in 1st grade will not be forgotten! And Mrs Dove, and Donathan.” – Laura Howard “Great class, great teachers, and even better memories. I would do it all over again with each of you in a heartbeat! Man! Great times.” Randy Clayton “Mr. Craig Brydges!!! He helped me realize how much potential I had with performing and speaking in front of people. He pushed me into trying different things which helped me a lot with public speaking. I love Mr. Brydges!” -Georgina Adjaye “Mr. Bridgman, rest his soul, if it wasn’t for him teaching how to read and not giving up on me. I had to miss recess everyday, while he worked with me to get me where I needed to be. I thank God for him because lacking those reading fundamentals could have hurt me down the road. I’m successful today because God sent an angel to me on this earth…not to mention that he was interning for the school and not even a certified teacher yet.” Ida Hicks “Definitely Ms Winn, Mr. Brydges and Mrs. Hampton!” – Steven Nunley “I feel like all of my teachers were great but Mrs. Burks (5th grade, Westside) is my all time favorite. Taught me a lot. And Mr. Campbell for math (5th grade, Westside). He was just a nice human being and very patient with a tough subject.” – Dee Lewis “Mrs. Eacret or Mrs. Volturo.” – Jessica Factor “Mrs. Parsons 2nd grade.” – Jared Bunner “(Mrs. Parsons) she made me feel so welcome when I moved there in the middle of the school year. Also Mrs. Scott in 3rd grade was awesome!” Jennifer Sorensen “Ms. Winn, Even Though she had a different type of teaching style lol.” Anita Banks “Coach Fox was one of the cool ones with his nicknames for everybody and Ms. Shipley.” – Mark Behn Jr.
“Mrs. Parsons and Coach Rhoades.” – Casta Mordecai “5th grade Westside. Mr. Campbell.” – Judith Salyer -As we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week, let’s remember that every note, gift, or word of thanks is a way to say, We see you, we appreciate you, and we’re grateful for everything you do. If there’s a teacher you’d like to recognize, head over to the Okmulgee Times Facebook page and leave them a message there! Just another way to say thanks.
From OHS class of ‘98, Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all the educators out there!
