School Teachers

I was a student of one kind or another for 26 years. May 7-11 is Teacher Appreciation Week. In honor of the occasion, I'd like to mention a few of the many teachers who've positively influenced my life:

1. Miss Gerard - The best 6th grade teacher ever! I can't honestly remember a lot of what I learned that year, but I do remember that she was always cheerful, enthusiastic, and really enjoyed being around us.
2. Mrs. Mungons - My Jr. High English teacher. I can still sing all of the subordinating conjunctions to the tune of "Deck the Halls". (Really useful, I know!)She was such a creative teacher, and a great role model as a woman. I understand she now has 9 children of her own - What a woman!
3. Miss Guthrie - I had her for Advanced Biology and Chemistry in high school. She was a major factor in my decision to go into medicine. She made science fun! We did such interesting experiments - like making "Ghostbuster ectoplasm" and making bronze-coated pennies.
4. Mrs. Compton - High School English. She was tough, but I learned a lot from her. (Don't judge her by my grammar and punctuation here!) She was also good for some memorable quotes in her Texas drawl: like, "There's a foul odor coming from our radiator," and "Be-uh-wulf." "I'm soh..." (Guess you had to be there.)
5. Mrs. Albright - My piano teacher/therapist. I spent at least 30 minutes a week with her for over 10 years. Those were some good times.
6. Dr. Coss - I had him for several college science classes. He's one of the most amazing science teachers ever. I mean, how many people could make invertebrate zoology stimulating to someone who despises most invertebrates? He was interesting and challenging and fair. Plus, his granting 1/4 points for partially correct answers on his multiple answer multiple choice questions fit nicely with my compulsive personality.
7. Dr. Barrett - I took every one of his Bible classes that I could once I discovered him. Even if it wasn't a subject I would normally been drawn to, I knew I'd get a lot out of it with him teaching.
8. Dr. Apelgren - He had a tremendous impact on my decision to become a surgeon. He really believed in me as a medical student. He has a ridiculous sense of fashion, however. I've never seen uglier ties. And I've never seen another professional wear fishing hats to work. Oh, well.
9. Dr. Hoshal - Nobody knows anatomy better!
10. Dr. Wolk - What he lacked in personality and patience, he made up for in teaching great surgical technique. (Well, almost made up for)
11. Dr. Pomerantz - There's no surgical disaster too great for him to get a patient through smoothly. When I'm faced with a mess, I always ask, "What would Richard Pomerantz do?"
12. Dr. Dreisbach - He led a medical mission trip to Armenia I was part of during college. I've never met a more compassionate, hard-working, faithful man. He was around 80 years old when he led that trip, and he could still outwork most of us. He would see 70-80 patients a day. I never saw him lose his patience or rush someone through.
13. Dr. Minnick - My pastor for several years during college. He's an unbelievably good Bible teacher. Few people can make a 60 minute sermon seem so short!

God bless you all, wherever you are!