Mrs. Summers

Mrs. Summers was my middle school Social Studies teacher. She also taught social studies to all three of my sibblings. Three out of four of us won the school's Geography Bee. My older brother was (and could possibly still be) the only student in the history of our grade school to pass the ridiculously difficult test to make it to the state Geography Bee. He got his first question about a river in Iraq incorrect. We were all shy and studious students who were able to succeed at something in front of a crowd of parents, teachers and classmates. I think we owe our successes to Mrs. Summers. She encouraged us to come out of our shells and try harder at what she knew we were good at and truly enjoyed learning about. She helped us to focus on our strengths, while at the same time understanding the hesitation and insecurities we had about ourselves and our confidence as shy middle school students. She didn't make a big deal out of our winning and embarass us in front of our classmates. She addressed us individually. Mrs. Summers was certainly a no-nonsense kind of teacher, but that didn't hide her heart and her sensitivity to student's emotional needs. She helped me and my sibblings to grow personally by encouraging us-but not forcing or singling us out-to go beyond our comfort level for learning. What I take away from Mrs. Summers as a teacher now is that even though you know a middle-grade student could excel at something and might enjoy it, there are sensitive emotions involved in putting yourself out there and showing confidence in your brain, body and self. A Geography Bee is an extreme example, I know. But some students, instead of you pulling them aside in front of their peers, might appreciate a note on their paper or a book slipped into their desk or homework folder instead. I am glad to note that I did see Mrs. Summers a week before I started my first term at St. Kate's. She gave me a hug when I told her I wanted to be a middle school social studies teacher.