Are Our Heroes! National Education Week – 2005 Support Project November 13-19, 2005

Who was your favorite teacher and why? Did a particular teacher positively influence your life and if so, who and how?

Constitutional Officers

Mark Sanford Mark Hammond Governor Secretary of State “Greetings. On behalf of “I have nothing but fond , I am memories of the sixth grade pleased to join you in and Mrs. Lowman at Lincoln celebrating National Middle School in Education Week through Spartanburg. It was 1976, ‘Teachers: Moving South our country’s Bicentennial Carolina to the Top.’ Good teachers can make year, when we discussed the tremendous all the difference in student performance and impact our founding fathers had on this attitude by providing an atmosphere that country and the challenges they faced forming encourages students to excel. When I look back a new nation. The class enjoyed the discussion on my own education, I still remember fondly so much that Mrs. Lowman organized a class Mrs. Lillian Spears, one of my teachers at trip to Williamsburg, Virginia. My parents Beaufort High School. By expecting nothing served as chaperones for the trip and to this less than the highest standards of excellence, day we still reminisce about the places we she helped prepare me and many others for the visited and the things we learned. I believe challenges life brings. I thank Mrs. Spears, as Mrs. Lowman’s interest in civics and love of well as dedicated teachers across the Palmetto teaching were a tremendous influence on me, as State, for their commitment to providing our I later received a degree in Political Science young people with the tools they need to reach from Newberry College. Simply put, she their maximum potential. Take Care.” enjoyed her job and made education fun for all.”

Andre Bauer Lt. Governor Inez Tenenbaum “As a young, energetic boy in Supt. of Education the third grade at Irmo “Without a doubt, my Elementary, Harriet Ward favorite teacher and the gave me a sense of direction person who made the biggest and was vitally interested in impact in my life was my seeing me succeed. Anyone mother, Bernice Moore. My who knew me would agree that I had mother also was my fifth- boundless energy. Mrs. Ward saw potential grade teacher in our small school in Pineview, there and creatively and positively channeled Ga. She loved teaching (taught for more than that energy. Harriet Ward is one of the best 20 years), set high expectations, was very fair teachers I had. She cared about each one of her and orderly, and was totally committed to students because we were individually her making sure you understood the subject matter. children.” She treated me like any other student in her 1 class and when school ended, she became my mother and did not bring her work home. She Senator John Drummond was the best!” Senate President Pro Tempore Emeritus “I graduated from the public school in Ninety Six, and there Congress were two favorite teachers I will always remember. Ms. Representative Joe Wilson Bell was my 5th grade teacher, who was very “I was fortunate in every grade attending the fond of me, and I learned so much from her. public schools of downtown Charleston to have My first grade teacher was Mrs. John Durst, dedicated teachers, but I will always be grateful who is the late grandmother of John Durst of for Sara Bookhart. As Social Studies teacher at Columbia, who has been involved in politics the High School of Charleston, she stimulated and was a former employee of Lt. Governor lively discussion, encouraged involvement, and Brantley Harvey. Mrs. Durst would call me is directly responsible for inspiring me to public John D., telling me that this name stood for service.” John D. Rockefeller and that I reminded her of him! She is the teacher who gave me that extra ‘push’ and was so supportive, and without her help, I don’t know if I would have finished high South Carolina Senate school. Mrs. Durst recently passed away after celebrating her 100th birthday. I attended this Senator Thomas celebration, and she bragged at that time that Alexander she remembered me always bringing her an “Mrs. Martha Hedden, a apple to school. She also boasted how proud high school teacher, was my she was of me and my accomplishments. A favorite teacher. She was a reporter who was also at her birthday very devoted and dedicated celebration asked Mrs. Durst what contributed teacher who inspired me in to the longevity of her life. She looked at him my work and to be all I and replied, ‘breathing in and breathing out!!’ I could be in school and life. She saw your will never forget her.” potential and believed in you. I was very fortunate to have her as a teacher who motivated me. I appreciate her.” Senator Wes Hayes “In the third grade, I started having an interest in attending the United States Senator Ronnie Cromer Military Academy at West “Mrs. Marie S. Huggins, my Point. My third grade first grade teacher, loved her teacher, Mrs. Hoke, profession. She taught encouraged this interest by reading by phonics which calling me ‘Brigadier’ and allowing me to sign has helped me tremendously my paper, ‘Gen. Hayes.’ Because of her throughout life. I feel Mrs. encouragement, and many other teachers along Huggins provided me with the way, I was able to achieve my goal and the foundation I needed to be successful in life.” attend West Point.”

2 Senator Hugh K. were responsible for me getting elected to the Leatherman, Sr. Senate because they inspired me to get involved “My most influential teacher 35 years before I ran for office.” was Lucile Upton, my fourth grade teacher at Senator J. Verne Smith Northbrook #3 Elementary “While I loved and respected in rural Lincoln County, many of my teachers, my North Carolina. Although I all-time favorite was Ms. can’t say exactly how she did it, Ms. Upton Nellie Bolt. She was my planted the seeds that made me want to excel junior and senior year and achieve. What I am today is due to her.” English teacher. Besides having a wonderful personality and strong leadership qualities, she Senator Larry A. Martin taught me exactly what I needed to know for “My first-grade teacher, Mrs. my freshman English class in college. I worked Hall, was a favorite of mine. hard to make a ‘C’ under Ms. Bolt and an ‘A’ as Mrs. Hall was a sweet dear a freshman in college. Her memory is beautiful lady who loved her students and respectful to me. She gave her lifetime and inspired them to do teaching young people and she touched their very best. She taught thousands of lives in a positive way. She first grade for many years at passed away several years ago around the age the rural school I attended. I had many fine of 90.” teachers after her, but Mrs. Hall helped me and countless others begin school in a positive way that made a profound impact as we moved on through the years.” South Carolina House of Representatives

Doug Smith Senator Thomas L. Speaker Pro Tempore Moore “Without question, the most “Mrs. Douglas Wise, of influential teacher in my life Trenton, SC, who taught me was my 11th grade in the fifth grade. Mrs. Wise Herpetology teacher, Major told stories of great South Rhodes. While admittedly, I Carolinians and spurred my wasn’t much with animals, interest, which later led to Major Rhodes taught me that learning didn’t my candidacy for and stop within the four walls of the classroom. service in the General Beyond the walls was where, what you learned, Assembly. She took such deliberate time with mixed with common sense was applied. each of us and was a masterful storyteller. I can Believe it or not, I still hear from Major Rhodes hear her now telling us that no matter who you who fudges and says he’s proud of me!” are or from where you come, you can be successful.” Representative Alan Clemmons Senator Glenn Reese “Mrs. Maddie Blount was “My ninth grade civics my fourth grade teacher at teacher and my eleventh Myrtle Heights Elementary grade government teacher School. Through 19 years of

3 public schooling, graduate and post graduate lady who taught me first grade had the insight studies Mrs. Blount will always stand out as an to realize I had far more talent than my school educator who went beyond what was expected work reflected and suggested my folks have my to encourage ‘her’ children in the classroom to eyesight tested by a specialist. It turned out I look beyond the bindings of a textbook to had a somewhat unique vision problem that challenge their minds with new ideas.” prevented my eyes from focusing together. After 15 months of weekly eye training sessions, I went from the lowest reading level to Representative Dan the top of my class. Then in junior high in Cooper Virginia, a very special lady named Mrs. Powell “I had many teachers who placed me in an accelerated English and math helped influence my life and pilot program. She taught me how to use I greatly respect each one. critical thinking skills in solving problems, real The toughest teacher I had problems, and not just in school. She was Martha Davis who challenged us to think outside the box!” taught English at Wren High for many years. Miss Davis taught me 12th grade English and College Prep. She made me Representative William work hard and truly challenged me to put forth Herbkersman my best effort.” “I had a professor at USC, Dr. Stanley. Stanley, as we called him, was as Representative Ken unorthodox as could be. He Clark preached doing things “My favorite teacher was different and personified Mrs. Fannon in John Adams individualism. I believe it was he who instilled High School in New York in me that we should be process-oriented as City. I was a child of true, well as goal-oriented, but to expect and grinding poverty. We were embrace the unexpected.” not only poor, frankly, we were poor, ignorant, and dirty – and no one in my family had ever finished high school. Mrs. Representative Shirley Fannon inspired me daily. She realized my Hinson humble background and awful situation, yet “Mrs. Gloria Barley, who she saw something in me and praised me and taught at Hanahan High encouraged me every time that I saw her by School, was my favorite telling me that I can be anything I want to be, if teacher because she made I worked hard enough to get there. Education is me feel special and she the only exit strategy for poverty!” recognized each student in her class as an individual. She laughed with us but insisted on the best performance from her Representative Bill Cotty students. I knew she was a unique gem to be “My father was an engineer treasured forever. She died from cancer early and we moved around the in life but left a lasting impression as a very South during my secondary caring human being with high expectations. I education years . Two miss her.” teachers changed my life dramatically. A wonderful

4 Representative Chip Representative Edward Huggins “Ted” H. Pitts, Jr. “John Robinson had a very “Mrs. Barker, of Lexington positive influence on my life. High School, taught me He taught fairness and Algebra I, Algebra II and discipline. If someone got Geometry throughout high out of line, he would school. She was tough. I am describe the manner in not even sure she liked me which you acted with real-life situations. If you but she made me work and learn subjects that I misbehaved, he would refer to the trash can. If had no interest in. She was a great teacher.” you placed gum under a chair or did something to litter, he would ask if you would do that at home.” Representative Michael A. Pitts Representative Herb “All of my teachers at Kirsh Hickory Tavern School in “Ms. Hazel Sills, my Laurens County were special Algebra teacher in the 7th to me. If I had to choose one, grade, was a great teacher. it would be my first grade There was strict discipline teacher, Ms. Aubrey Marler. in her class. She went over She was extremely patient and motivating to a the problems over and large group of students - there were 34 of us - over until you understood who had never been to school before. She not how to do the work. She was all business and only taught us to read, write and learn basic that was the type of teacher I needed in the 7th math, she was compassionate. I still remember grade. She gave me the desire to work hard, do her remarks that out of our class could come my homework, and I really learned about presidents, senators, congressman, scientists, algebra. She was definitely an inspiration to me. doctors and lawyers. She fully encouraged each In fact, I graduated Clover High School as #1 in of us to shoot for the stars and made us believe my class.” we could.”

Representative Phil Representative Becky Sinclair R. Martin “Mrs. Bomar, my third “Ms. Ann Luckadoo, who grade teacher, was a small was my daughter’s teacher silver-haired woman who, in the first grade at though stern, knew how to Whitehall Elementary motivate us. Each time a School. She was student made 100 on a compassionate and paper or test, that student got to place a star understanding, not only to beside his name on a sheet of poster paper. The average students but also those students who student having the most stars each six weeks were physically disabled. She was always polite received the coveted prize of a coca-cola from to the students, her fellow teachers and any the teacher’s lounge. My pursuit of academic parents that she came in contact with. She made excellence had begun!” a difference in many students’ lives, giving

them the self-confidence they needed to be

successful. She is now teaching teachers on how

to work with special students.”

5 Representative Garry R. and a deep appreciation for diversity. As her Smith product, I dream, I relish, I embrace the lives “I can remember several and languages of lands near and far.” teachers throughout my life that had a profound impact Karen Iacovelli upon my life. Sister Business Appointee Bernadette in kindergarten, “He would strut into the Mrs. Ergle in fifth grade, classroom like a military Mrs. Rutland in eleventh grade, and Mrs. drum majorette. His Knight in twelfth grade, had a great impact on students froze with me at various times in my life. I think that the attention. Dick Sweezey thing that set these teachers apart was their was a master of the caring for me as an individual. These were English language, and every student at teachers who gave freely of themselves and Northport High during the 1960’s lucky enough were not just getting a paycheck.” to have taken one of his classes, felt a lifelong impact for his love of literature. He was a small-ish man, but Herculean in his ability to demonstrate the force of Shakespeare, Chaucer, Wordsworth or Milton. He demanded that we Education Oversight Committee use our imaginations to create new literature, utilizing the tools of perfectly constructed Bob Staton sentences and flawless spelling. Chairman, EOC “I had a lot of good teachers Dick Sweezey was passionate about the English but the one who had the language, combining it with history, using the biggest impact in my life classroom as theatre, while we strutted and was my aunt, Elsie Boyce, fretted our own hour on the stage. The results who was a teacher and later of Dick’s excellence were a school that earned a became a high school national reputation for theatre production principal. Aunt Elsie always instilled in me a under his direction, and students who became sense of responsibility not just for myself but to theatre, television and literary champions. He help others as well. She never failed to see in was the best: heroic and unforgettable. I can me the potential that I couldn't see or wanted to still hear his voice, and his presence in my life believe. She pushed me to reach beyond my has endured 40 years. “ own horizon and I will always be grateful.”

Susan Marlowe Traci Young Cooper Educator Educator “My great aunt, Dr. Inez Clark Eddings, was a “In Madame Hall’s French wonderful teacher and class it didn’t matter that advocate of public school many of us lacked the education in South Carolina money or means to ever in the early 1960s. She travel abroad to study unsuccessfully ran for SC State Superintendent French. She passionately of Education during those years, but remained and creatively brought the French language and active in the educational process with rich culture alive during her daily instruction. assignments in Atlanta and Washington. Aunt Blending an array of teaching styles, all her Inez places a high value on the importance of students developed a love for foreign language

6 education for all children and worked hard Tommy Bowden within the system to help make good SC Head Football Coach, schools a reality.” Clemson University “My favorite teacher was C. Alex Martin Angelo Viani, Shop Teacher, Vice-Chairman, Educator at Morgantown High School My favorite teacher would (Morgantown, West have to be my wife, Ann. Virginia). He had a great She has impacted many rapport with his students and was always students as a teacher, our positive. He promoted self-esteem and two children as a role confidence at an unstable time in a lot of model, and even me. I have teenagers’ lives.” been her biggest challenge. She has to tolerate my disruptions every day. It is kind of neat to have a lifelong crush on your teacher! Charles M. Duke, Jr. Astronaut – Apollo 16 “My favorite teacher was Gladys Robinson. She was an encourager who “Famous” South Carolina Faces exhorted us to do our best academically. Through William Baldwin her encouragement I Author learned the importance of studying hard and “I attended Clemson Graduate School in setting goals.” English and had at least a half dozen excellent teachers, men and women who instilled in me not only a knowledge of literature but a love of Walter Edgar it, as well. It’s difficult to pick just one, but Author/historian Mark Steadman had the biggest impact. Besides “My favorite teacher was being my thesis advisor, Mark taught me both my seventh-grade history Contemporary and American Literature and teacher, Caldwell Delaney. introduced me to Faulkner, Kafka, and His classroom was lined Nathaniel West and many, many more. I’m with cabinets he had filled certain I was a very unpromising student – with artifacts from the past disruptive, poorly prepared, and tardy. I made that he would bring out at the appropriate time ungentlemanly B’s while most around me were and place on his battered wooden desk. He receiving A’s. But an ever-patient Mark saw would insist that we come up and examine something there and sent me out into the often them. Time and time again he would tell us uncaring and calamitous world with a solid that history was everywhere around us, that we grounding in modern literature’s basics and a should be observant, and that we should belief that I could and would become a writer. always ask questions. Through his gentle Thank you, Mark. Thank you, Clemson. persuasion, Caldwell Delaney taught me that history was more than just dry words in a textbook - history should be fun. It is a lesson that I have never forgotten.”

7 Alex English George Dean Johnson, Jr. Former Professional Entrepreneur Athlete/Basketball Coach “The late Dr. Lewis P. Jones, “That teacher for me was Professor of History at Mrs. Bolden who was the Wofford College, was my librarian at Dreher High favorite teacher. He instilled School. She was the mother in me a deep appreciation of of Astronaut Charles Bolden. history, its teachings, and She is now deceased. She would always let me made history come alive. His lectures were sit in the library and read as long as I wanted brilliant and enthralled all who heard them. He to.” had an incredible influence because he exhibited in his life the virtues to which all Jonathan Green should aspire. He possessed humility, Artist kindness, a tremendous intellect, and he “Mr. Grant, who taught challenged our minds and brought out the best Agriculture Studies at the in all of his students. I’ve been blessed with Beaufort High School in the many great teachers, but none like Dr. Lewis P. 1970’s greatly enhanced my Jones.” love of nature and sensitivity to rural communities. In his quiet and humble manner Andie McDowell he was accessible to all of the students. His Actress teaching style stressed learning by doing and “I thought of many wonderful helped me internalize a love for the earth and teachers who inspired me or the environment. His genuine warmth and made me feel appreciated from love of teaching was most comforting during my small town, Gaffney, SC. I school integration when many of us were do believe teachers do not get threatened with a loss of community, a sense of the credit or appreciation they belonging and social support systems.” deserve. However, my favorite teacher happened to be my mother. My mother was an Dianne Johnson enthusiastic and loving music teacher. She was Author / Teacher very proud of her students and indeed, they “My sixth grade teacher, Miss Carol Johnson, were very talented and lovely students. It was a has been one of the people, outside of my time in our country, especially in the South, immediate family, who has influenced my life where people were living in a very shallow most profoundly. She took us on 36 field trips, mindset. The students at my mother’s school screened 117 films (I still have my notebook of took great joy in learning from my mother. responses), and required us to write creatively Color was not an issue from the students or my every week. Some might have called her an ‘old mother. So you see, though many of my maid.’ But she was an early example in my life teachers taught me well, my mother’s lessons of how a woman can claim the world and its helped me see people for who they are…not wonders as her own. It would please her that I their color.” am now a teacher and writer.”

8 David Odom Marva A. Smalls Head Basketball Coach, Entertainment Executive USC Gamecocks “One of my favorite teachers “I was one of the fortunate was the late State Senator few. I grew up in Frank Gilbert who served as Goldsboro, NC, a small guidance counselor at Wilson town close the ocean. As I High School in Florence. think about my life, I am Senator Gilbert was a hands- proud to say that I never on guidance counselor. He took an interest in had a bad teacher or a bad coach. I owe so what I was doing both on and off the school much to each one. Each teacher, each coach grounds. He encouraged me not to settle for made a lasting impression on me even to this what I was being taught at school alone, but to day and this time in my life. How can I possibly pursue other materials that would provide a ever thank them? Perhaps by caring for my deeper understanding of the subject. He players and being there for them just as my stressed that a well-rounded individual should teachers were for me. That’s a high standard connect to extra-curricular activities both at but one I must try to reach.” school and in the community. He personally connected me to outside organizations that enabled me to hone my leadership skills and Bill Pinckney develop an understanding of how integrated Artist, singer, songwriter, processes work. I believe my passion for business leader and co- community service and making a difference founder of The Original began under his tutelage.” Drifters “The teachers that made the biggest impact on me were Professor Charles H. Mr. Titus Hastie and Mr. C.B. Townes Bracey. Mr. Hastie taught me how to hold a Scientist – Physicist baseball and he recognized my talents as a and Astronomer comedian, dancer, and singer early on. He told “Mathematics became me, ‘you will be something one day.” Both of fascinating to me in high these people were great teachers and also school because of the friends. Like family, they taught me well.” interesting teacher who made it fun and challenging. I also was much influenced by the high school shop course, and Richard W. Riley liked to make things work. The personal and Former Governor and the intellectual quality of my teachers in all US Secretary of subjects – Latin, English, and History – and Education later, in college, Philosophy, French, German, Biology, Mathematics, and Physics were all “I had dozens of favorite important to my interest in becoming a scientist teachers and it is difficult and university professor. I still feel their to single out one. One of influence and am very grateful.” my favorite teachers was

Miss Mary Wilder who died a couple of years ago in a Laurens Retirement Home. She taught me English Literature at Greenwood Senior

High School and caused me to have a lifelong love of Shakespeare and Milton and all the greats. She gave life to literature and poetry.” 9 Irene Trowell-Harris, EdD, RN, Major Gen, USAF, Retired Director, Center for Women Veterans

“My elementary school

teacher, Hazel J. Cadle, was

my favorite teacher. I admired her because she was very professional, kind, gave individual attention to each student, and was a superb role model. Ms. Cadle’s influence was instrumental in my earning a masters from Yale, doctorate from Columbia, promotion to major general in the Air Force/Air National Guard, earning silver flight nurse wings, and becoming a White House political appointee at the Department of Veterans Affairs. She provided the educational bridge for me from the cotton field to senior executive. ”

Leo Twiggs, Artist (Medium: Batik on cotton) “Arthur Rose was my first art teacher and the first artist I ever met. He was innovative, improvisational and creative. He made art out of anything, scrap metal, screen wire, sand. Sometimes he danced while he painted. He would say ‘To be an artist you have to be a little crazy.’ He was like the TV detective Columbo. We thought we were having fun while he was teaching us. When people ask me why I decided to paint with wax and dyes instead of traditional media, I remember Arthur Rose.”

Vanna White “Wheel of Fortune” and Entrepreneur “My first grade teacher was my favorite, Mrs. Wagoner. She taught me the alphabet!”

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