When I reflect back on my school years several teachers stand out to me: Mr Favat - 7th grade English who encouraged me to keep writing…. stories, poems, doesn't matter .. "just keep writing," he told me. And Mr. Stanley - 10th grade Health whose lessons still ring true today - it was more of a human relations class and life lessons than it was a traditional high school Health class.
Yet, the person that changed things for me was a professor that I encountered when I returned to college as an adult to complete my Bachelor's Degree. At the time I wasn't even sure what my major was going to be, as I'm was fully emerged in a successful career that didn't require additional training or education.
When I found Professor Pfitzer in the American Studies department at Skidmore College I was hooked. His classes inspired me to grow and learn in ways I hadn't done previously. I developed a love of History and for putting the pieces together that I treasure to this day.
He could have treated me differently, as I was not a traditional undergrad. I was much older and there for different reasons than most. And, yet, he valued what I brought to the classroom and encouraged me to continue to share my perspective - and it's uniqueness from the other students.
During those classes he showed me I bring value, I am smart and I have the ability to learn in a different way than I realize. He brought so much self-confidence to me, and in the spirit of Thanksgiving I am grateful to him for all he taught me!
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