Skiing Doesn't Seem So Important Right Now

[John84]

Just got news that my physics teacher was diagnosed with cancer. Altough she's supposed to be back in school sometime late next week, which is a good sign, she's also probably around 70 years old which I'm assuming would make it harder to overcome. Anyone know anything about that? It couldn't have happened to a nicer person, she's easily the best teacher I've ever had. When we have a sub kids are actually dissapointed that she isn't there. Get well soon Ms. Ott.

 

[ALLSKIING]

Just got news that my physics teacher was diagnosed with cancer. Altough she's supposed to be back in school sometime late next week, which is a good sign, she's also probably around 70 years old which I'm assuming would make it harder to overcome. Anyone know anything about that? It couldn't have happened to a nicer person, she's easily the best teacher I've ever had. When we have a sub kids are actually dissapointed that she isn't there. Get well soon Ms. Ott.

Sorry about your teacher. Health is everything.

 

[cbcbd]

My thoughts will be with her that she can pull through it.

 

[jack97]

Yeah, what everyone has said.

BTW, skiing may not seem that important right now but it's a healthy mental outlet for times like this.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Ah damn John...sorry your teacher is going through this. It's really nice that you care about her so much. My thoughts are with her.

 

[Warp Daddy]

John : As a retired educator it is caring people like yourself make me grateful to have been in a wonderful profession > Take heart son-- bad things often happen to great people.

Just continue to support her thru the ordeal , LET HER KNOW HOW YOU FEEL --Don't keep it to yourself then she AND you will gain strength (THE INNER KIND)

PS :GO skiing it is very good therapy .

WD

 

[Vortex]

Good Thoughts sent..

 

[BeanoNYC]

John : As a retired educator it is caring people like yourself make me grateful to have been in a wonderful profession > Take heart son-- bad things often happen to great people.

Just continue to support her thru the ordeal , LET HER KNOW HOW YOU FEEL --Don't keep it to yourself then she AND you will gain strength (THE INNER KIND)

PS :GO skiing it is very good therapy .

WD

Another teacher Sweet! I think that makes 5 of us on AZ.

 

[tirolerpeter]

Rewards in Life

Just got news that my physics teacher was diagnosed with cancer. Altough she's supposed to be back in school sometime late next week, which is a good sign, she's also probably around 70 years old which I'm assuming would make it harder to overcome. Anyone know anything about that? It couldn't have happened to a nicer person, she's easily the best teacher I've ever had. When we have a sub kids are actually dissapointed that she isn't there. Get well soon Ms. Ott.

The most valuable rewards in life are not always monetary. (Don't get me wrong. Good pay for a job well done is important.) I retired from teaching 5 years ago. While I have an excellent pension for my efforts (Luckily I taught in NY State which has an excellent Teacher's Retirement System that is well funded.) Every so often I run into a former student who recognizes me and their comments regarding their time under my tutaledge are invariably positive. It always surprises me that the most positive and warmest comments come from students that either "struggled" academically, or "butted heads" with me over their attitudes or behavior. A typical explanation includes comments such as, "you seemed to care enough to to take the time to try to straighten me out."

Recently I met a woman in the post office while waiting on a rather long line for service. She looked at me for a bit and then asked: "Are you a teacher?" I responded: "I'm a retired teacher." She then guessed (correctly) at my name. She then added: "I had a lot of trouble in your class. But, I still got a 92 on the state exam!" (My state has a rather comprehensive mandated state exam at the end of each year of many major required subjects) I paused for a moment and then commented: "Well you really showed me!" All the people on the line laughed and then she "got it" and laughed too. I found that encounter very rewarding. Sometimes it takes ten years or more for the "reward" to kick in. Five of my former students are now teachers themselves, and one is an assistant principal. She was actually my boss by the time I retired. It took me three years to convince her to address me by my first name (In private no less.). In recent years I have had the misfortune to be hospitalized several times. In one instance it turned out that I had a less then competent doctor. Late one night in the quiet darkness of an ICU where I lay suffering, one of the nurses (one of my former students) came to me and whispered: "You need a different doctor." I took her advice that day and left the hospital. I then found a better doctor who determined that I had been badly misdiagnosed. He also stopped all the inappropriate medications that were making me feel ever sicker. A subsequent medical exam confirmed the misdiagnosis, and I soon recovered. It takes a lot of courage for a nurse to say that to a patient in defiance of a doctor's treatment plan. BTW, I told the doctor to stay away from me and threatened to sue if I ever got a bill from her. Never heard from her again. My "reward" was the fact that these people actually appreciated what they had gained from their time as my student. Changing (or being part of changing) someone's life is a wonderful feeling. Having their respect is priceless. Make sure to either see Ms Ott personally John, or at least send her a note expressing your respect and admiration. It will definitely help her to recover.

 

[Warp Daddy]

TP& Beano : Great insights !

I too enjoyed my yrs as a Professor, Dean and ultimaterly president. The wonderful thing that we all share is the ability to interact with kids and help shape the future > the rewards are way beyond money. Getting really positive feedback from those we assisted when they ultimately reach maturity keeps us all rich in spirit and young at heart and is the" true breakfast of champions ."

Young men like John who take the time to reflect on how much his teacher means to him make it all worth while>

 

[John84]

Thank you very much for your insight and well wishes everyone. I was planning on writing her a note along with my lab due Monday along the lines of "Get well soon, we all miss you very much, etc." However, there is one small problem; she doesn't want people knowing that she was diagnosed. A few of the kids in her first period class (Multivariable Calculus, like I said she's incredibly intelligent) found out that she had cancer from the other Physics teacher, but were told in no uncertain terms that she didn't want anyone to know, and there was almost a sense that she was embarrassed. One of the girls from that class told me when I asked her and then I didn't tell anyone. So, if you were in her situation, do you think a note might seem too intrusive or would you appreciate it?

 

[Warp Daddy]

I personally would welcome the fact that one of my students CARED enough to be concerned .

A thought here John --the note is a good idea --if you are hesistant about DIRECT mention try some other message like ; "Mrs O - you really are making this course a great learning experience for me . ( e.g. or fun, or meaningful or some other condition that applies ) thanks for all you do"

Just knowing that she IS VALUED is great therapy . Mark Twain once said " I can live for a month on a compliment"

Good luck
WD

 

[bigbog]

.........

Sorry to hear this John...but as mentioned...per jack97 & everyone else, it's the positive mental-thing that's important. Hope she chooses to make the best out of life....we all are facing the same fact of life...we aren't gonna reach immortality.