I was reflective not only being in my old high school for the first time in years, but I also was reflective because this program was one I had once been backstage helping run. Since the "Mr. LE" is run by the journalism department, I could not help but think about all the fun memories I had had with the journalism department at Lugoff-Elgin Highs School. In fact, the journalism department was what made the years of high school bearable for myself. It also had me reflecting on the individual who ran our journalism department so successfully.
A teacher who yes as the Buzzfeed list said, "knew more about me than my best friends do". My high school journalism teacher, Jenny Proctor, was one whom did know more about me than most of my best friends in high school. Here is an updated and repost from a previous blogpost of mine from when I described her my life changer. Today, she still is.
We all have one person who began something really important in our life. They were the first to inspire us or guide us. They began something in our life, no matter how small, that had a significant impact.
Sometimes that impact happens at one time, and sometimes it's a long-lasting and continuing impact.
The appreciation I have for this woman in my life cannot be put into words, nor can the love I have for her be measured. There is no way I would be pursuing the career that I am, with the passion that I have had it not been for her.
The first time I entered Journalism 101, I was met with an energetic, vivacious woman. She had this passion for this new subject of mine, journalism. It was a passion that I soon shared. There was something infectious about her passion.
She opened my eyes to a world where there is a commitment to telling the truth. A commitment to keeping the public informed. A commitment to telling peoples' stories and living out the first amendment right.
A teacher is someone who not only teaches her students academic lessons, but life lessons as well. Where their commitment to their students isn't just about fulfilling their job description, but fulfilling a higher calling. A calling to make a difference.
She is one who has never given up on me. Her commitment to me as a student was also a commitment to me as a person. This is why three years after I've graduated high school, I still turn to her for advice. It is why I still pick up my phone to tell her good news before most other people.
Her impact in my life cannot be put into words. It can only be seen when I reflect back on the journey that led me here. When I reflect on the journey I have taken in pursuing my dreams. Each step along the way, she is there. She has added to the pieces of the puzzle of my life in both small and big ways.
I know that there is absolutely no way I would be who I am without her.
If only our world had more teachers who made such a commitment to their students. Who are truly pursuing a higher calling of helping guide their students instead of just earning a paycheck. It is these individuals that make the difference in the lives of the students they teach.
It is people like Jenny Proctor who make the world a better place.
You're a life changer. You are my life changer. Thank you for being you. Thank you for helping me too, to grow in my faith. I learned through you what it meant to teach young people about being a woman of Christ. You walk in His name every day, and it is reflective in the way you carry yourself daily. I grew in my faith as I would sit in youth groups at Bethel and listen to you pray then teach our weekly lesson, or other times I would hear you teach about God's Word. I knew I could come to you with faith questions, and you would be willing to listen and answer.
Thank you Jenny for being you. You've impacted my life in more ways than I can describe. I am thankful to have you as a mentor. I am thankful that even six years after we first met, I still have you in my life. I pray that never changes.
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