Someone Who Matters- Mrs. Amy Christianson

This morning one of my childhood friends called me and said that she saw a past English teacher at Kmart in Grand Forks this morning. She couldn't remember her name, but I did immediately. "It was Mrs. Christianson - Amy Christianson. She's the reason I became an English teacher. Did you tell her that Kurt, Tina, and I are English teachers because of her?"

I'll tell you what. Mrs. Christianson confirmed the idea to me that I was not dumb. I had her in 8th and ninth grade? Was that it? It was two years for sure. I remember I was pretty sad when she announced she was moving to Grand Forks. Pretty sad for us. It was a good thing for her.

My favorite things we did in her class included reading Romeo and Juliet, "The Cask of Amontillado," and The Outsiders. I loved it when mom would go to parent/teacher conferences and come back and reported how Mrs. C enjoyed having me in class. Imagine that? ME?? One time Mrs. C even told mom that I was a good writer. Hooray! My heart soared at the compliment.

Mrs. Christianson had awakened something in me to become a more caring person. I loved to hear her talk about literature and writing. I loved the smiley faces she left on my papers.

Last year, one of my friends asked me which of our English teachers I wished to be like. I told her Mrs. Christianson because she taught me when I was young and needed the encouragement. I had other great English teachers too, but Mrs. Christianson was the first to see me for me. Mrs. Christianson was the first teacher who really inspired me.

I looked her up and found the school where she teaches. I'm going to write her and tell her. Perhaps she'd like to know what a difference she made in at least one student's life.