Blog #55 – PEOPLE THAT INSPIRED ME

During my lifetime, I have derived inspiration from different sources for the things that I do. While growing up, my mother was my inspiration to become a teacher. After getting married, my wife became my inspiration to write instructional mathematics workbooks. In the years that followed, my children inspired my pursuit for excellence in teaching and coaching. As I have gotten older, I have found some inspiration in my grandchildren. Since the birth of my first grandchild, I have dedicated the rest of my life to developing new materials that can inspire a love of learning in general, and of mathematics in particular.

Although many years have passed since the death of my mother, she continues to inspire me. I idolized my mother. She possessed all of the qualities that I aspired to have. She loved people and devoted all of her life helping everyone around her. She valued a good education. She was unselfish. Everything that I have ever done in my lifetime was done to validate her legacy.

After marrying my wife, I met an individual that was committed to making me happy. Through the years she encouraged me at times when I was depressed. Conversations with her inspired many great ideas that impacted the work that I did. But what inspired me the most was her willingness to share me with my students and her willingness to sacrifice time and energy developing materials that would help teachers, students and parents.

In the years that followed, the birth of my three children enhanced my commitment to excellence in teaching and coaching. Having an opportunity to be their mathematics teacher and coach was a blessing that inspired me to strive to be better in both. Even now, I look for them for guidance. They have become my best friends. Their love energizes me every day.

Now that I have grandchildren I am driven to write more materials than ever. I want to make sure that in the future they have access to my materials. Although I would love to be around to work with them directly for years to come, I want to insure that the materials that I write will be available to them even if I am not around.

As I look at all of my sources for inspiration, it is obvious that God made everything possible. He instilled all of my abilities in me. He has given me the health and stamina to devote my life to helping teachers, students and parents. I am truly blessed and pray that I have an opportunity to continue producing materials that will have a positive impact on future generations.

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