Announcement of Minot area schools back in session brought my own memories of childhood experiences including elementary, junior high and high school. A number of my teachers greatly impacted my life.  The value and importance that you teachers provide in regard to both the person we become and degree of success we may realize in life cannot be overstated.

Miss Thomas taught science and art in grades 4-6 at Jefferson Elementary in Wichita, KS. It was her skill teaching science that planted, fertilized and watered seeds of interest in science for me. But, equally important was what she did that brought a special feeling that I was deserving of responsibility. She often included short films with her science lessons. The old-style movie projector was perched on a mobile cart rolled to a location near the table where I sat. She threaded the machine, started the movie and sometimes slipped out of the room while students watched the film. I observed her thread and rewind films many times from my seat.

Miss Thomas didn’t return by the time the film ended one day. The reel continued to rotate with the film’s tail-end flapping against the cart until I stood and turned off the projector. As the teacher had done countless times before, I rewound the film and replaced it into a metal container. Upon her return, Miss Thomas asked who rewound the film. I sheepishly raised my hand. From then on, I was the “class projectionist.” It was perhaps a simple thing. But, Miss Thomas reinforced a sense of trust, importance and value in me.

Another important event occurred in the third grade. We took a field trip to the high school where the Wichita Symphony performed a Children’s Concert for area third graders. The orchestra played the William Tell Overture. When I returned home that day, I told my mother I wanted to play an instrument. Violin lessons started that year with Mrs. Colvin. She was kind and patient with each of us — despite our screeching and scratching through weekly lessons. Mrs. Colvin encouraged me to play a Humoresque solo in the all-school “talent show” in 1958.

Prior to the senior year of high school, I shared with my mother that I no longer wanted to play in the school orchestra. No doubt she was disappointed.  When I failed to attend orchestra class the first day of school, a note arrived from the office during my last hour class. It read: Report to Mr. Tolle’s room after school today. Stepping into the room, Mr. Tolle was waiting.

He said, “Dennis, why weren’t you in orchestra this morning?” When I told him I had a scheduling conflict with a different class that particular hour, he asked a second question: “What class are you taking?” When I confessed it was “study hall,” he waggled his finger at me and said just one more thing before turning to walk back into his office. “Dennis, you WILL be in orchestra tomorrow!” I was indeed back seated in the orchestra the next day — as well as during our final spring concert that year. My eyes became teary as I played, knowing how pleased Mother was to watch me play.

It was about twenty years later when I made considerable effort to find Mr. Tolle. I wasn’t successful. I wanted to thank him for what he did for me in 1967. Without caring about me as he did, it is likely my path since would not have included playing in the Minot Symphony Orchestra during 45 seasons thus far. In addition, and although Mother heard me play The Lord’s Prayer on violin at Dad’s funeral in 1997, the only additional opportunity she ever had to sit in an audience as I performed with an orchestra came not long before her death in 2009. My sister flew with her to Minot specifically for a concert. My long-time friend and stand partner, Jim, agreed to switch seats with me so I could sit on the outside so Mother could see me. My eyes were teary that night as well.

Of course, it is impossible to predict where anyone’s path will lead. But, if not for teachers like you along life’s journey taking interest and giving encouragement, reasons and motivations that shape our interests and the type of people we become, outcomes would likely, and sadly, be much different. There is no doubt your students will look back someday with thoughts of appreciation for what you have done for them. Thanks for all you do for our youth and a better tomorrow for our children.

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