In Memory of Michelle Blackwell, a loving daughter, teacher, mother and friend

Memories wash over me, slowly, almost painfully.  I've decided upon "bittersweet" to describe that late day in May of 2011.  The excited chant of children at a pep-rally, but this was no ordinary pep-rally.  It was a day to celebrate the student's hard work throughout the year, preparing them for the MCT II that loomed ahead.  I joined a group of bouncing 4th graders wearing matching yellow shirts.  I watched in admiration as their teacher's enthusiasm matched their own.  My own son was privileged to be a part of this group. 

 

From the beginning of the school year, I knew Ms. Blackwell was one of those teachers that a child never forgets.  My son, a good student, but always a bit timid, began to become more animated than I had ever seen him, describing his school day.  I realized he was learning and at the same time having a lot of fun.  This is not an easy feat for a teacher to incorporate into a classroom, especially with the stress of the MCT II, but somehow, this teacher had managed what seems almost impossible, to combine a love of learning and simultaneously, encouraging the students to be creative and have fun.  

Ms. Blackwell's past MCT II scores spoke for themselves.  Her students were always at the top, but not at the expense of the student's happiness and their love for being in her class.  Being a teacher of high school students, I knew this was an arduous combination, but somehow she had managed to merge the two.  

Today I look outside the window and know that the world has lost a teacher who, not only cared about her students, in the academic sense, but also, cared about them personally, and in return, they cared about her.  

I salute her, and all other teachers like her who have learned the art of this viable combination.  Today she will be laid to rest, having fought a long battle with cancer.  In her young life, she managed to touch the lives of many.  

She will live on in the hearts of the students she taught.  They will not forget her kind words, her encouragement, nor her excitement for learning.  

Today, I say, "Thank you, Ms. Blackwell, for everything you've given. May your students go forward and make you proud."