Teacher Investment

Graduation is such a great time of year. At Western Yell County (WYC) we had our graduation ceremony for the class of 2015 on Friday, May 15.  It was a sweltering Friday evening in our gym that does not have air conditioning.  It was about 85 outside so it was close to 100 degrees inside.  The rain forest type climate didn't take away from a class with great academic accomplishments.  It was still a great night for obvious reasons.  There was another reason it was a great night.  Something very magical in my opinion happened at that graduation ceremony.  One of the class sponsors and teachers was recognized by students addressing the audience.  As part of the senior class started to stand up and give this sponsor a standing ovation for her tireless effort and dedication to this class the entire audience did so as well.  This particular teacher is Anna Ridenour.  I would like to take a few minutes to share some thoughts concerning Mrs. Ridenour, even though she will not like the attention and probably be mad at me for sharing this.

Anna Ridenour is a math teacher WYC.  She is also a graduate of WYC as well.  I won't say what year that occurred though so I can stay on her good side.  She is invested in this school and is a Wolverine through and through to say the least! The recognition from the class of 2015 and the standing ovation wasn't just due to the academic help she has given each and everyone of the graduates but the investment she made in her students.  That investment was not just academic.  She invested in them completely and it is obvious they invested in her as well.

This is what education is supposed to look like.  Not the recognition but the investment.  Mrs. Ridenour is embarrassed by this recognition or any other she receives.  As educators we work tirelessly to help our students and want nothing in return with the exception of student success and life lessons.  We hope to have a positive impact.

It is this type of impact we all hope to have on our students.  If we can have that impact on just one it means so much.  She had this impact on an entire class.  I continue to be impressed with her approach to education and the investment she makes in her students.  This is my 18th year in education.  She is truly one of the best educators I have had the pleasure of working with.  Not just because of her knowledge of content and her ability to relay it to students even though that is most impressive.  She is a great educator because of her investment in young people and the school in which she has been a part of her entire academic life.

Anna Ridenour is the example of how students should feel about their teacher when they graduate and leave high school.  Anna Ridenour is everything is that right about education.  Anna Ridenour is what is great about education.  Anna Ridenour is what education should look like.