Victoria Waterson: Model of Dedication and Strength
Mrs. Waterson was a reading teacher in a school where I was the principal. She had a loving, gentle nature and was always positive with children. In the years I worked with her, I never heard her raise her voice to a child or even need to! I never heard her utter a negative comment about a child. In her final year of teaching, she was diagnosed with cancer. Although very ill and often weak, she maintained this same positive disposition. Although receiving significant medical treatment, she consistently worked around her school schedule and continued to help children learn to read. How did she change my life? The same way she changed many others. She was a living model of the belief that attitude is a choice. She chose joy. She chose perseverance. She chose to maintain a work ethic that was beyond reproach.
Now, as I am a little older and face my own health issues, I am reminded of this wonderful woman --- how she lived her life and joyfully taught young children despite her pain. I am reminded how her model of grace and dedication resulted in improved attendance of younger teachers who often used every sick day every year! I am reminded of how loved her students felt. How blessed I am that this teacher of teachers was a part of my life.
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