While reading Dr. Bill Stewart’s A Look Back this week I thought about several of the teachers I have fond memories of over the years. From first grade all the way through college, my teachers made a difference in my life and left lasting impressions. I have named a few and do not mean to leave anyone out, but there is not enough space to name them all, perhaps in another column on another day.

Beginning back in first grade with Fay Camp as my teacher, she was a strict disciplinarian,  but also left no doubt that she cared for you. One thing I will always remember was that Mrs. Camp called me by name up until a few days before her death. Now that means a lot to me, and I do not think I gave her a bad reason to remember me during first grade.

My fourth grade teacher Adelle White gave hugs to her students and always praised you for the work you did. She was a strong Christian and shared her faith with her students. I remember that many of us accepted Jesus around that time and nothing made her happier than when you shared the news with her and your classmates.

One of my fifth grade teachers Glenda Wright made learning fun and I was so impressed with her that I used the her cursive “r” instead of the way we were actually taught. I still do that to this day.

I remember Sandra Smith as a great English teacher but she was also the first teacher I had that was pregnant. Frank Parker not only taught me algebra, but he also sharpened by interest in history, especially anything written about John F. Kennedy. I recall Gurnalene Braswell always being one of the best-dressed teachers in school and a great English teacher.

It was only a few years ago that I could call Jimmy Yarbrough by his first name; he paddled a guy in seventh grade for calling him Jimmy.

Moving along to high school I had so many great teachers that I do want to leave anyone out, but Lib Barclift taught typing the old –fashioned way on a manual typewriter. I can still remember the carriage return lever on those old machines and the way the “lady in blue” taught typing. I also remember John Lockhart making sure his students knew things grow in soil not dirt.

I even remember William Booth before baseball and Ideassa Wherry with her sayings and referring to her students as “classmates.”

Thanks to all of the teachers I had the pleasure of studying under, all made a difference in my life, and left great memories to hold onto.