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Favorite teachers listened with ears and hearts

I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with editors. I’m a firm believer in the saying that a good editor will elevate your work, and a bad editor might destroy your (and/or the) work.

I think the same may be said of teachers. I’ve been fortunate in my school career to have incredible teachers. Mrs. Balfanz and Mrs. (Nell) Jones are two of my high school English teachers. They were my first true editors.

They. Were. Tough.

Both women were incredibly compassionate, energetic and demanding (in a good way). Each met my insatiable list of questions with questions of their own. And rather than ask the questions, they waited for answers in my writing.

Each challenged me in my way of thinking, in my way of using words and in my way of looking at the world. And it was all good, even if it made me a bit crazy at the time.

They prepared me, equally, for the future editors of my writing career.

One of my favorites was Bill Sheridan, another tough (but fair) cookie. One of the Sheridanisms I took to heart was this: “Never believe your own press, good or bad. You’re never as great as you think you are because there’s always room to improve; and, you’re never as bad as others say you are or make you out to be.”

Reflecting back on past teachers, I realize how much I appreciated the way they handled their students. While they were always honest in their assessment of work, they never belittled me or made fun of my effort. They were as invested in my outcome, perhaps as much as I was invested in it.

While I’m sure they were exhausted in dealing with the sheer number of students, they were encouraging, and the epitome of a cheerleader for students’ accomplishments. I remember each of them — Mrs. Balfanz, Mrs. Jones and Mr. Sheridan — celebrating in finished stories. Their efforts helped propel my own efforts, and momentum, forward.

I think I learned as much from them about how to treat students as human beings as I did in how to coach and teach. All three were honorable, respectful and decent people. They loved working with words and working with students.

Another Sheridanism applies to all three of these teachers from my past: “Listen with your ears, and listen with your heart.”

I believe they listened with their ears and hearts; and, they taught from that place of love. Their love of words, and students, set me on my own love affair of the written word. And for that, I am incredibly thankful.

Patti Dobson writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]