The big TPT sale is over, but we are still thinking about teacher heroes in the blog world. I’m linking up with Jenny at Luckyfrog’s Lilypad today in honor of MY teacher hero, Ms. Nadine Heim.
I had many wonderful teachers in my lifetime, but I must say that one of my college professors from the University of Delaware inspired me in the most profound way. Professor Heim was a teacher of teachers and she will not soon be forgotten. I can still hear her voice. It echoes in my own teaching.
Professor Heim insisted that her students call her by her first name, Nadine. She was a toddler teacher in The Laboratory Preschool at the U of D, and also taught undergraduate courses in early childhood development to us college kids. I had the pleasure of taking a few of her classes.
My best memory of Nadine is during our very first meeting when she had all of us aspiring teachers stand on our chairs and scream out words of affirmation. “I am an excellent teacher! I make a difference,” and words of the sort. I remember feeling so awkward doing that, but it is a moment that has carried with me for all these years.
Nadine had a genuine love of children and teaching and it was contagious. She was a woman who walked what she talked. For many assignments, I was required to watch her teach toddlers through the laboratory preschool windows. To this day, I don’t think I have ever met a teacher with as much patience and passion as Nadine. I remember thinking that I wanted to be just like her some day.
In Nadine’s class, I learned many practical aspects about teaching. We did a whole lot more than just read from a textbook. We made toys, role played, prepared lessons, and practiced teaching in her preschool class. She gave the most constructive feedback, and always did it in such a kind way.
Nadine was my teacher 20 years ago, back in 1995. I doubt that she is still teaching today. I just searched the Internet for her, but did not have much luck. If I could talk to her, I would thank her for inspiring me to be the teacher I am today. 🙂
Now, I hope that you will hop on over to Luckyfrog’s Lilypad to read more stories about teacher heroes. Who knows, maybe you will be the featured teacher in one of those stories!
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Ahh! I love hearing about college professors who showed so much passion for education. It's not necessarily something I saw a lot of when I was in college, but I think it's SO important! Thank you so much for linking up! I just love your design and everything in your about me- can't wait to follow and get to know you a little better! :)Jenny
I was at UD in 1995 too and LOVED Nadine! I do not recognize you but I am sure we crossed paths at some point. I feel like you took the words out of my mouth, YES to everything you said! I vividly remember classes like that and I always felt in awe watching her teach; ‘What would Nadine do?” is my mantra to this day! Thank you so much for sharing and for bringing a smile to my face!
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Ahhhh. That is SO cool!!! 🙂 I don’t recognize your name, but like you said, I’m sure we crossed paths. Nadine was such an awesome person. I wonder if she realizes how many people she inspired. Best wishes!
I graduated UD in 1994 and I had the pleasure of student teaching with Nadine in the 2s and 3s classes. She was so supportive and an amazing role model! I wish I had kep in touch with her.
Author
Hi Jenna, How cool! Me too. It would be really neat to talk to her again and let her know the impact she made on education.
She was MY college professor, too. She is the reason I have been a teacher for the past 22 years. She inspired me through the Lab School at UD from 1993-1997. I would love to find her and catch up with her, too. I search for her often with no luck. So glad to hear of others looking up to her as much as I did/do ❤️
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Hi Stephanie, That’s so cool, and…those were the EXACT same years that I went through the program! I bet we had classes together!