The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

“The entire object of true education is to make people not merely do

the right thing, but enjoy the right things; not merely industrious, but

to love industry; not merely learned, but to love knowledge; not merely

pure, but to love purity; not merely just, but to hunger and thirst after

justice.”

-- John Ruskin

From the moment I knew I was pregnant with each of our children, I had

many specific prayers for them and it’s been a great adventure to see

God’s different answers.

One prayer was that both of them would have a love of learning and God

has answered that prayer in more ways than I’d ever have imagined. Not

only have we been blessed to be surrounded by incredible family and

friends, but our girls also had many wonderful teachers in school. They

also had many great Sunday school teachers, coaches and other people who

were inspirational and influential in the many different facets of their

education.

I thought about this as I joined almost 200 other students, parents

and friends to honor Mrs. d’Albert who recently retired after teaching

for 25 years at a school in Corona del Mar. Mrs. d’Albert was an

exceptional teacher who gave her best and expected the best of each and

every student.

“She also has kept a dedicated interest in my life all these years

later, and I still get notes or calls about opportunities she knows would

interest me,” my daughter, Kelly, said about her fifth-grade teacher.

Mrs. d’Albert clearly went the extra mile for her students, and I was

glad that she was thanked for her dedication and commitment. On my way

home from the retirement tea, I stopped at the market. While unloading my

groceries, I heard a sweet voice behind me say, “Mommy, mommy, can I get

candy and flowers for my teacher for Valentines Day? I know she’d love it

and I love her.”

I turned and smiled at the mother with two little girls. One girl

pointed to a colorful candy display while the other twirled around and

said, “Me too. I love my teacher and I want to give her candy and flowers

too.”

She then plopped a bag of pretzels on top of some of my items.

“Calm down, girls,” the mother said. “I love your teachers too, but we

aren’t buying Valentines presents now. And honey, you almost squished

that lady’s avocado.”

“That’s no problem,” I said. “My girls were their age once, and they

loved their teachers too. That is such a gift. And you didn’t squish my

avocado, and even if you had, I like guacamole too.”

Both girls giggled. As I left, I overheard one girl say, “What did she

mean by our teachers being gifts? I thought we were supposed to buy them

gifts.”

I didn’t hear the answer, but I knew what I meant. Great teachers are

a gift. Great teachers deserve gifts, not just tangible ones, but gifts

of our time, prayers, encouragement and affirmation. I don’t know when

“Teacher Appreciation Day” is, but if someone has positively impacted you

or your children, today could be the day.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.