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Thank a Teacher Before It is Too Late

LCM 2013 - Estes, Pollock, Mangham, Hargrove
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LCM 2013 – Estes, Pollock, Mangham, Hargrove

Have you thanked a teacher that made a difference in your life recently? Three months ago, I had an incredible opportunity to do just that, and it seems it was just in time. 

This past February, one of my clients needed me to teach at a conference in Houston. Houston is only a couple of hours from my family, and since I live in Puerto Rico, I really wanted to get home even if for a quick visit. Not that I needed to pitch a deal to wrap in personal time on my travel, but I asked NAPE if I could give our full length STEM Career Workshop at my alma mater. Even though I developed the workshop, they own it, so I had to ask permission before going rouge. I offered to arrange the workshop, and teach for free, in an effort to give back to my community. Without surprise, NAPE said OK, and I worked with the Superintendent of Little Cypress Mauriceville School District, Pauline Hargrove, to arrange the workshop around my trip.

Pauline Hargrove was my elementary principal, then she was my high school principal, before becoming Superintendent of the school my senior year. Dr. Hargrove is a woman I have looked up to and admired for her incredible leadership skills since I was literally, a child. And though I was but one student in her school, she knows me, and for that I am honored.

When I arrived at LCM on February 26, 2013, I didn’t know what to expect or who to expect. I imagined I would know some of the people attending, and I was right. It is a pretty small town after all. First of all, I couldn’t believe that Dr. Hargrove attended. Second, my high school chemistry teacher, THE woman responsible for directing me on my life path post high school, and now the high school principal, Dr. Terri Estes, was also in attendance. Third, Mrs. Brigitte Mangham, my seventh grade math teacher, and teacher that I aided for in 8th grade was there. There were others that I knew, counselors, teachers, etc, but these three women were strong influences on my life and my trajectory as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) professional.

The workshop was probably my BEST delivery ever, and I’ve presented that information some thirty plus times. I was passionate, and connected with my audience, most likely because I had never felt more proud to be a product of LCM and my hometown of Orange.

One of the stories I always tell in my workshops is how it often takes just ONE teacher to encourage a student into a career, and especially to encourage a female into a STEM career. Dr. Estes was that person for me. I’ve shared about her to thousands of educators, administrators, parents, students, and STEM role models over the last six years. To share that meaningful story not only to her colleagues, and to her boss, but to her? It was an emotional time for sure.

During the course of the morning, I thanked Dr. Hargrove for teaching me how to be a leader. I had silently observed her for years. I thanked Dr. Estes for encouraging me to pursue a career in computer science and engineering. I thanked Mrs. Mangham for being a great 7th grade math teacher that set me on a positive trajectory that made my future in STEM possible. After all, that is such a critical time for students. Had she not been an incredible teacher, she could have turned me off of math and sent my life in a completely different academic and professional trajectory.

After the workshop, the four of us took a photo, pictured here, and one I will cherish forever, but not for the reasons I thought that day.

Over this past weekend, Mrs. Brigitte Mangham, a beautiful, soft-spoken, eternally sweet and kind woman, suddenly passed away. I don’t know the details, but she was young, in her fifties I believe. I saw the news in my Facebook feed, and couldn’t believe my eyes. Just three months earlier, to the day almost, I was hugging her neck and praising her for being an incredible educator and woman.

I am deeply saddened by her passing, but more for all the students who will not have the opportunity to fall in love with math because of her teaching. The world lost an incredible educator this week, and I can’t help but feel some responsibility to prepare future teachers to be as great as her. In her honor and memory, Mrs. Mangham, I hope I can make you proud.

And to you, my audience? Please, thank a teacher before it is too late.

 

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9 Responses

  1. I loved your blog. I thank each of the educators you mentioned because they were so instrumental in your life. You’ve had many great teachers though the years. Love mom.

  2. Meagan that was a wonderful article you wrote about Mrs. Mangham! She was a wonderful person and a pleasure to work with. I know she was proud to see what you have done with your education! I know I am ! And you look gorgeous!
    Jo Ellen Enmon

    1. Hello Mrs. Enmon, thank you so much for your kind note. Thank you for all that YOU do for students! LCM has been so fortunate to have incredible teachers like Mrs. Mangham and yourself. As I now study education and work with schools across the country, I realize what a fantastic education I received from LCM. Thank you!

    1. Mrs. Reeves, thank you for your comment, and allow me to THANK YOU also for being an wonderful biology teacher. I remember often the event you took me to at the Montagne Center to hear Dr. Watson (of the Watson-Crick DNA Model) speak. Not only do I remember him as being hilarious, but how honored I was to have been invited by YOU. Much of my confidence as a STEM professional today is based on the 2 years I had under your instruction. And even though my path was made possible by Dr. Estes and her cousin at TWU, had she not come to tell you about the opportunity while you and I were talking in your lab, it may not have unfolded as it did. Do you remember that? Thank you again, Mrs. Reeves.

  3. Megan, you are a wonderful, talented, and remarkable young women because of your family and the leadership of dedicated educators in your life. It was been a pleasure watching you become such a strong, smart, and grateful for your life’s blessings lady. You will inspire many future
    Young women by your positive and grateful manner.
    I am so very proud of you.
    Patsy Herrington

    1. Mrs. Herrington, Thank you so much for your kind words! They say it takes a village to raise a child. With you as our neighbor on Memorial Drive for so long, I bet you bought your fair share of chocolates and trinkets to support my extra curricular activities that taught me skills I use today! I am a product of Orange, Texas, and proud of what a life in that community has given me. Thank you again for your words of encouragement, and I hope I can continue to make you proud.

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