Public schools support tomorrow's citizens

Everyone has had a teacher who touched their life in a meaningful way. I believe it is time to tell the story of how former students have touched my life personally and no doubt yours. Throughout Howell County. I see former students making contributions to better our world. They work throughout our communities in Howell and other counties far and near providing a wide range of skills, services and products.

 

I find them at Ozark Healthcare being nurses, phlebotomists, housekeepers and administrators. They help me navigate my medication refills and are first responders. They own, manage, and work at both small and large businesses at all levels. I get my propane safely delivered and banking transactions securely performed. Some have returned to public schools as teachers, administrators, special educators and speech therapists. Several are school board members in both school districts where I taught. They sell insurance and provide their time, talent and resources to their communities. One of them I see on KY3 as a spokesperson for a large school district. When I serve as an election judge I see them voting. One is a stay-at-home mother who provides sewing services and other works for a state agency that provides land management technical services. They log and are in real estate. Some are out of the area serving in our nation’s military or working jobs manning oil platforms or laying optical fiber. They work on our road crews, fight fires, and risk their own lives in public safety careers. Others are in STEM careers making less seen impacts but are notably significant.

 

These citizens are raising their families and contributing to our society. They were all blessed to have a public school system that fed them breakfast and lunch if their families couldn’t. They saw school nurses as needed and for some it was their own medical care. They benefited from school counselors who navigated their school schedule and helped them process life’s difficulties. Some were provided special services when extra help and guidance was needed. Sports and extra-curricular activities provided chances for team building and additional skill development. All of them needed smiles, support, appropriate discipline, an opportunity to learn and grow. I am grateful and thankful for the public schools, teachers, families and other support systems that invested in them.

 

Mary Ann Carr Mutrux

Retired Public School Teacher

Willow Springs, Missouri