"You Are Famous"

I had the pleasure of attending the Educational Theatre Association National Conference this past weekend in San Diego, CA. After asking for SIX years, I was finally able to go.  I heard an incredible speaker, Richard Robichaux, speak about his fourth grade teacher, and how her interest in him changed his life. The result of that was this, "Mrs. Fleck, YOU are famous." He stressed how the fame had to do with the fact that she changed the path of his life forever by doing what she had to do...her job.

This got me thinking about the people who unknowingly, unwittingly, or partially because I was just so damn annoying, changed the course of my life forever, making me the person that I am today. (good, bad, or smelly)

The first one is Mari McAdoo. She was the COOLEST music teacher ever.  Woodland Hills Elementary School in Kingwood, TX. She taught me everything: instruments, guitar, recorder, voice, etc; AND she gave me my very first true stage experience: Robin in The Runaway Snowman. Miss McAdoo is the most amazing woman that I have ever met. I may not have seen her in *cough cough snort sneeze* years, but to me...SHE is famous.

Lois Yvonne, Karen Romano, and Barry Dean are next. They run a kick ass theatre school in my little town in Texas.  They're the one's that took my theatre experience to a whole new level. While I didn't get to work with them a lot, those three incredible people have left an indelible mark on the person that I am today, so to me...THEY are famous.

Diana Searcy. My first classroom drama teacher. From her, I learned the techniques of being on stage, she introduced me to dramatic literature, trusted me to be a leader, became a friend, was an incredible mentor, a patient director, and so much more. To me...SHE is famous.

And last but not least is John Marshall.  He was my middle school choir teacher. He was larger-than-life, passionate (threw his keys one memorable day), loved his students, and was an INCREDIBLE music teacher. Everything that I know about reading music I learned from him.  To me...HE is famous.

These people may not have been in my life for a long period of time, but the time that they were showed me who I could be, introduced me to my potential, gave me training and showed me compassion. When I decided to go into education, it was these people who I emulated to create the "teacher character" that I play every day.  It is THESE people who have allowed me to interact with my students everyday; by teaching me, believing in me, and being there for me.

I can only hope that one day, I might be even 1/12 as famous to someone as these people are to me.

Who is famous to you?