The Work Of Suzanne M. Mcdowell - 1153 Words

A teacher who keeps on teaching is a gift that keeps on giving. Retired high school teacher Suzanne M. McDowell was selfless by nature as most educators are. Even after leaving her desk job as an economics and business teacher, she continued to enlighten minds and uplift souls. Bold, beautiful, and beloved Suzan taught more than how to be successful in business but also successful in life. The lessons she taught whether of love or taxes, generosity or inflation, stay with those privileged enough to have met her. At age thirteen, I became one of those lucky souls. Suzanne and her husband Jerry were downgrading from their large two story house to a modest duplex. Restrained by failing hips and an oxygen tank, a single story home was safer†¦show more content†¦We spent the time shopping, packing, and talking. She told me stories of her old school: cantankerous students who got a particularly rewarding attitude check; times her students were able to cajole her out of homework as signments; and instances where they would some to her for advice and guidance. Listening to her reminisce, I was touched by her affection for her students. She had a monstrous bin full of cards, photos, albums, yearbooks, and newspaper clippings all from previous students. Suzanne still remember them all like it was just yesterday that they entered her classroom. By the end of the day, it felt like we had known eachother for years. When the tasks we had set out to accomplish for that day were done, she drove me home. As I was opening the door, she handed me a twenty dollar bill. â€Å"Thank you, but this is way too much. It was only a few hours of work, and you don’t even need to pay me! I enjoyed it,† I said shaking my head and handing her the money back. Suzanne pursed her lips and refused to take it back. â€Å"Oh honey, it was a pleasure. I insist,† she replied, but after I caviled at her a little more she said, â€Å"Dear, I have had cancer three times, a bone marrow transplant, and two husbands. I value people much more than money. Take the darn cash and don’t make me pull the ‘cancer card’ again.† She ended with a smile which made us both bust up in giggle. I bid her farewell and pocketed the money making sure to