Today all around the nation and beyond we celebrate Mother’s Day. With my parents being several states away some holidays are missed annually and this is one of them this year. Phone calls, emails, texts, cards, letters, etc. aren’t enough sometimes.

During Teacher Appreciation Week I devoted one tweet a day throughout the week to an educator or group of educators who made a sizable impact on my life and career in education. I devoted one to my mother – but for several reasons.  https://twitter.com/BrendanFetters/status/859129638026706945

I’ve spent my entire life in and around schools in some capacity. Some of my earliest memories growing up in Ohio are visiting my mother’s school in the summer months to help her set up her high school classroom, assisting with drama practice, working on homework in my mom’s classroom after a long day in middle school while my mom and her teacher friends walked the hallways for exercise, the list goes on.

From a young age my parents both instilled the value of hard work in me. My mom specifically demonstrated the value of working hard but in caring on a deep level. It always amazed me growing up how my mom was able to connect with all students – especially the older I became and some of my peers in high school would tell me how much she meant to them. Additionally in the years since I’ve started my own career in education and well into my mother’s retirement I’m constantly amazed how many former students reach out to her still to this day. What a lasting impact – powerful.

While many, many educators made significant impacts on my career growing up, into college, career, etc. my mom laid the foundation. Foundation as a person, educator – teaching me the value of listening, learning and kindness. All aspects I try to put into practice with precision on a daily basis.

There is little question that I would be where I am today without my mother’s guidance as a person and professional. Connections with colleagues, student/family relationships all of these vital aspects to what I bring to the table daily all were modeled ongoing by my mother – and continued by her today long into retirement. Amazing. I hope I can come to hitting the mark that she is at today when I’m at her age. She certainly set the bar high.