Inspirations and thank yous
This section is dedicated to acknowledging and thanking individuals who have inspired and supported me. It is an ongoing work-in-progress, so stay tuned for more details. The individuals mentioned below are in the order in which I encountered them in life.
Ms. Mary Ann Barnes
I met Ms. Barnes when I was in third grade. Although she was never my own classroom teacher, Ms. Barnes taught a classroom of other third graders. When I learned that she was teaching Spanish to her students, she kindly allowed me to skip recess to participate in the Spanish lessons. When I was in high school, Ms. Barnes welcomed me back into her classroom to teach Spanish to her class. She was an excellent mentor and guide during my novice time teaching. I credit my love of learning languages and my love of teaching to Ms. Barnes. It is because of her that I went on to study in Spain during high school, then majored in Spanish at Georgetown University. I am honored to remain friends with her after 25+ years!
Mr. Leigh Mallory
I met Mr. Mallory when I was in high school. Although he has played many roles in Colchester, I knew him as my cross country skiing coach. I was an athlete in high school, but when it came to skiing, I was quite possibly the worst skier in the history of the world. Nonetheless, Mr. Mallory was always the most encouraging and enthusiastic human being. He pushed everyone on the team to do the best within their own abilities. The one thing that stands out in my mind is that Mr. Mallory taught me the importance of making healthy living a series of ongoing choices -- it was never about being "the best" or getting a medal at the end of the race. Mr. Mallory taught me how to love and truly enjoy sports. I truly believe that it it because of him that I was able to complete a marathon -- and then go on to run more marathons and become a marathon training coach. Mr. Mallory also instilled the importance of making wise, healthy choices throughout your lifetime. I credit my ongoing commitment to healthy living to Mr. Mallory, and I hope to instill the same values in my own children.
Linguistics Professor at Georgetown University
I don't remember his name. I don't remember much about the course. I do, however, remember his grading philosophy. The first day of class he announced, "At the end of the course, you will get an A if you are Alive, and a D if you're Dead." Sometimes I think that would be a much simpler way to earn and assign grades.
Dr. Patrick Bizzaro
Dr. Bizzaro was my dissertation advisor during my doctoral study at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bizzaro's teaching style epitomizes the essence of this website on Academic Kindness. In an interview with him after he won the Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award, Dr. Bizzaro stressed "the importance of my students". His teaching, mentoring, and daily actions all demonstrate and underscore his true belief in this sentiment. In his kind attempt to consistently foster mutuality, he would probably also object to the fact that I have referred to him as "Dr. Bizzaro" instead of "Pat".
I'd also like to recognize the book "29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life." Read it. Try it. It will cost you nothing, and it might save the world (yes, I'm a great optimist). You can also join the movement here: http://www.29gifts.org/
This section is dedicated to acknowledging and thanking individuals who have inspired and supported me. It is an ongoing work-in-progress, so stay tuned for more details. The individuals mentioned below are in the order in which I encountered them in life.
Ms. Mary Ann Barnes
I met Ms. Barnes when I was in third grade. Although she was never my own classroom teacher, Ms. Barnes taught a classroom of other third graders. When I learned that she was teaching Spanish to her students, she kindly allowed me to skip recess to participate in the Spanish lessons. When I was in high school, Ms. Barnes welcomed me back into her classroom to teach Spanish to her class. She was an excellent mentor and guide during my novice time teaching. I credit my love of learning languages and my love of teaching to Ms. Barnes. It is because of her that I went on to study in Spain during high school, then majored in Spanish at Georgetown University. I am honored to remain friends with her after 25+ years!
Mr. Leigh Mallory
I met Mr. Mallory when I was in high school. Although he has played many roles in Colchester, I knew him as my cross country skiing coach. I was an athlete in high school, but when it came to skiing, I was quite possibly the worst skier in the history of the world. Nonetheless, Mr. Mallory was always the most encouraging and enthusiastic human being. He pushed everyone on the team to do the best within their own abilities. The one thing that stands out in my mind is that Mr. Mallory taught me the importance of making healthy living a series of ongoing choices -- it was never about being "the best" or getting a medal at the end of the race. Mr. Mallory taught me how to love and truly enjoy sports. I truly believe that it it because of him that I was able to complete a marathon -- and then go on to run more marathons and become a marathon training coach. Mr. Mallory also instilled the importance of making wise, healthy choices throughout your lifetime. I credit my ongoing commitment to healthy living to Mr. Mallory, and I hope to instill the same values in my own children.
Linguistics Professor at Georgetown University
I don't remember his name. I don't remember much about the course. I do, however, remember his grading philosophy. The first day of class he announced, "At the end of the course, you will get an A if you are Alive, and a D if you're Dead." Sometimes I think that would be a much simpler way to earn and assign grades.
Dr. Patrick Bizzaro
Dr. Bizzaro was my dissertation advisor during my doctoral study at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Bizzaro's teaching style epitomizes the essence of this website on Academic Kindness. In an interview with him after he won the Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award, Dr. Bizzaro stressed "the importance of my students". His teaching, mentoring, and daily actions all demonstrate and underscore his true belief in this sentiment. In his kind attempt to consistently foster mutuality, he would probably also object to the fact that I have referred to him as "Dr. Bizzaro" instead of "Pat".
I'd also like to recognize the book "29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life." Read it. Try it. It will cost you nothing, and it might save the world (yes, I'm a great optimist). You can also join the movement here: http://www.29gifts.org/