Grateful
First Lady Michelle Obama was giving out awards for performing arts organizations that work with young people. Reading about them, I was really reminded me of how incredibly lucky I was to have amazing arts teachers in school. In elementary school it was Mrs. Nordwall and Mr. Keller. Then, Mrs. Smith in middle school. And in high school: Mrs. Bradley, Mrs. Hasko, Mrs. (DiRenzo) Gilbert, Mr. Bogan, and my 4992 family. They are the basis of every memorable part of those years.
MRS OBAMA:
“What you do isn’t easy, and we know that, particularly right now during these days of a lot of belt-tightening. I know that many of you have been putting in probably longer hours and later nights just to keep things together, and sometimes probably paying out of your own pockets to keep everything going. But I also know that — the difference that you’re making in the lives of young people all across this country and around the world…
…You’re not just connecting young people with music, dance, poetry and drama. But because of your work, you’re connecting people, these young people to mentoring, to tutoring, to social services, and college counseling. You don’t just show them the power of their imagination, but you show them the power of discipline and hard work and of teamwork, as well.
And these young people don’t just become accomplished singers and painters and authors. They also become better students, they become better leaders, and they become better citizens, enriching not just themselves but their communities, teaching younger children the skills that they’ve learned, beautifying neighborhoods with murals and lifting their communities with their performances.
Ultimately, each of your programs is using achievement in the arts as a bridge to achievement in life. And you see all this every day, each and every one of you working so hard.
You see this in your students as they become more confident and more engaged and more willing to take risks and to take responsibility for their futures. You see it when their academic performance improves, when you see improving attitudes and higher GPAs. And you see young people who never saw themselves as college material, you see them getting those acceptance letters and you see them going on to pursue their degrees.
So we all know in this room the power of the arts to change young people’s lives.”
For me, the group of friends and teachers that made up my arts activities did more for me than any class, book or lecture I have ever taken. I’m incredibly thankful it was part of my education. It started me on the path to where I am now, and fostered a love and appreciation for the arts that will last a lifetime.
You can read Mrs. Obama’s whole speech, here, if you’d like. But what you should absolutely do is thank a teacher who made a difference.
