Who is responsible for encouraging you to be a teacher? Who helped you discover that teaching is where you should be? Where you belong? Jean Lethcoe is the woman responsible for me being in the education field. When I didn't know what direction to take my life while in college, Jean is the woman that arranged for me to observe a second grade classroom.
I was at a crossroads in my life. Confused. Frustrated. Lost. Placing me in a second grade classroom was a science experiment that I thought would be all sorts of wrong. She said, "Just try it. You might like it." I thought this woman lost her marbles placing ME in an elementary classroom just to see if it would be a good idea. I was thinking I should transfer to a Chicago school for Interior Design. She saw something in me that I didn't. After one day in a second grade classroom I fell in love with elementary school and teaching. My idea for Chicago flew out the window.
Jean helped guide me to the life I lead today. For that I am eternally grateful. I can not imagine my life any other way. She was a smart and amazing woman with such ambition. Even after I started my classes towards my undergraduate degree she always had her office door open and was always available to listen. Perhaps it was the comfy chair in her office that called me in...or the bowl of M&M's she always kept filled...she was an asset to my development as an educator. You may be wondering why I am writing about this influential woman. Unfortunately, she passed away last Thursday, April 3, 2014. If you would like to read more about her you can click right here.
Jean, you hold a special place in my heart...and know that you have touched so many lives. There are so many people out there in this world that have been influenced by your contributions...thank you! Thank you, Jean, from the bottom of my heart.
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