Acknowledgement of Teachers

Last week, I submitted a manuscript for book number twenty-eight – that is authored, co-authored, or compiled.  It reminded me that my first book, “EvangeLife” was published in 1984.  When one publishes his or her first book, they tend to acknowledge a lot of people from family members to teachers, to coaches, to counselors, to best friends.  Among others, I acknowledged my sixth grade teacher, Mrs. Myrle Acton, from West University Elementary School in Houston.  She continually said there was future greatness in our class.   As I looked around the room, I failed to see the potential that she saw, so I concluded she might be referring to me.  I’ve long since lost all contact with those in that class, and so I’m unsure if greatness would describe any of them, but it sure motivated me.  About ten years after that first book was published, I received a phone call from a man who identified himself as the son-in-law of Myrle Acton and told me she wanted to talk with me.  She had read my book, and seen the acknowledgment, and wanted to thank me.  I remember saying to her, given her long career of teaching, she must have had a lot of former students pay tribute to her.  The reply broke my heart.  “No,” she said.  “You are the first one.”  School begins again in a few days.  Join me in praying for those who serve in the school systems.  May they continue to see greatness in their classrooms.  If you had a teacher who impacted your life, and they are still alive, and you know how to contact them, why not send them a note of thanks.  You may be the first one to do so.  “And God has appointed these  . . . Teachers.” (1 Corinthians 12:28).