Thank you Mr. Martin...

Today is World Teachers' Day. Here's a chance to thank a teacher, professor, coach or mentor who made a difference in your life.

When I say difference I mean that maybe because of, or maybe in spite of, a teacher - you turned out okay. Better than okay. Indelible.

Charles K. Martin, Chuck to his friends, Mr. & Coach to me and many others. Here's to you. When Bobby Donlin smacked me on the top of my head with a stack of science books because I stole Rebecca from him, you bounced us...hard...together and asked us if we wanted to fight.

When my Dad died and I wanted to quit football, you made me run, hit, and tackle harder than I thought was possible. You saved my life. I was seething with anger, and with you, I had a safe place.

When you got sick with leukemia, you had us write letters to Congress about the effects of Agent Orange, you told us the horrors of an college kid serving as an artillery officer in Vietnam, and we understood. You asked us to act rather than be acted upon. We knew you and your story.

When we won the door decorating contest, it was because of your inspiration & because of Kathy Dossigny's genius.

I am who I am because of your ghost stories, the scary stories at Halloween, the laps we ran, your lawn chair at football games and your last words "...for the children...". Because of you, I teach.

Here's to the rest...Dr. Allison, Dr. Faust, Dr. Smith, Mr. Lewis, Dr. Erb, Dr. Pletnick, Mr. Hayes, Ms. Wher, Ms. Hood, Mrs. Mercury Morris, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Parr, Mr. Manown, Mrs. Greybar, Ms. McDonnell, Mrs. Grant, Mr. Kite, Mr. Close, Mr. Price, Mr. Tesmer, Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Wall, Mrs. VanArsdale, Mrs. Nadon, Mrs. Artz....I am who I am because of, and in some cases in spite of, who you are.

For everything, and with all that I have, I thank you.

Principal Sharp

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