Belinda H

This woman grew up in a poor, but loving, family in upstate New York. When she was born they had neither electricity nor indoor plumbing. She struggled with school at times, but got by. She studied retail management in college, a field she decided she wasn't really suited for.

One of her sons had learning problems and she worked with public schools for several years to get him performing at the highest level he was capable of. Through her efforts, he is now a sophomore in college, studying music.

She had always been drawn to education. She went to school to study American Sign Language and worked as a deaf interpreter in a middle school. After surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome interrupted her interpreting, she decided to finish her degree, switching to history.

She became a history teacher in a disadvantaged high school and has worked diligently to inspire, cajole, and direct her students toward goals they never thought previously possible, and is beginning to see the results as the first students she taught are now in college.

She's a gifted teacher, but she's also a parent-figure, a counselor, a comforter, an advocate, and a supporter of her students. She is often the toughest teacher they've ever encountered, but after they rise to her challenges, they count her as a friend.

She's a wonderful teacher and I'm glad she's my wife.

Submitted by Anonymous

Making A Difference