Honoring the Heart of Education: Celebrating Teachers Everywhere—Especially My Mom

My mom with one of her classes circa 1992

Last week, I graduated from the University of Florida with my doctorate. I returned to school because I wanted to understand how to teach reading deeply. After researching programs across the country, the University of Florida stood out as the one that truly aligned with my beliefs about effective, evidence-based reading instruction. The journey was rigorous and demanding, but it was also incredibly rewarding—the result of years of hard work, dedication, and personal sacrifice.

This week, coincidentally, is both Teacher Appreciation Week and Mother's Day. The timing feels especially meaningful. I began my career as a teacher, and ultimately, the reason I pursued my doctorate was to better support teachers in their work, especially in reading instruction. You don’t earn a doctorate alone. I was fortunate to have a strong support system around me, and I’ve also had some truly remarkable teachers who shaped not only my education but my entire career and outlook on life, the most important being my mom.

So, in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to take a moment to recognize a few of the teachers who helped me get to where I am today.

Dr. Kathleen Lord

Dr. Lord was one of my literacy professors during my master’s program. At the time, I was already trained in Orton-Gillingham and pursuing my literacy degree to deepen my knowledge of reading instruction. Dr. Lord saw potential in me that I hadn’t even recognized in myself. She became a mentor and a guide, and thanks to her, I had the opportunity to co-create the SUNY New Paltz microcredential in the science of reading. Her belief in me and her mentorship helped propel my career forward over the past three years.

Ms. Jessica Kaufman

My love for reading instruction is, in part, rooted in my struggles as a child. I grew up during the whole language movement, and with a speech impediment, spelling was particularly hard for me. It wasn’t until I trained in Orton-Gillingham as an adult that I finally learned the spelling rules I’d been missing. I remember thinking, There’s a rule for that? I’ve been wondering about 'c' and 'k' my whole life!

Second grade was a tough year—my teacher didn’t know how to help me. But in third grade, I had Ms. Kaufman, a new teacher who changed everything. She was kind, smart, and funny. She believed in me and, more importantly, made me believe in myself. After a rough year, she helped rebuild my confidence and made learning feel safe again.

My Mom

My mom, who passed away recently, was an elementary school teacher for over 20 years. She taught in the same district where I went to school. Throughout my education there, I constantly ran into people who would tell me she was their favorite teacher. Some of my happiest childhood memories are of helping her set up her classroom each August—arranging books, painting at the easels, and curling up to read in the clawfoot tub she had in her kindergarten room.

She was the one who encouraged me to become a teacher. When I wanted to quit my first job because I couldn’t get my students to listen, she gave me the best advice: “Go downstairs and ask a veteran teacher for help.” I did—and learned more about classroom management that year than in any class I’d ever taken. Even after retirement, my mom continued mentoring student teachers, always wanting to stay connected and give back to the profession she loved so much.

It’s because of her that I’ve always believed in the power and purpose of teaching. And when people question my field or why I do what I do, I remember her words and her example.

In Conclusion

This Teacher Appreciation Week is especially meaningful as I celebrate my own academic milestone. It’s a reminder that none of us gets here alone. We’re shaped by the educators who saw us, challenged us, encouraged us, and believed in us—even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. I’m proud to be a teacher. And I’m forever grateful to those who taught me not just what to teach, but how to lead, grow, and give back.

And to my mother, I am forever grateful for your unwavering belief in me and for encouraging me to become a teacher—I am who I am because of you. I love you and I miss you very much. Happy Teacher Appreciation Week and Happy Mother's Day.