copy editor’s note

TEACHERS TEACHERS CHANGE CHANGE THE THE WORLD WORLD

RECENTLY, I FOUND MYSELF PONDERING THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON THE PERSON I HAVE BEEN BECOMING. IN EVERY SEASON OF LIFE, I HAVE MEMORIES OF TEACHERS WHO TOOK THE TIME TO CARE, INFORM, CHALLENGE, AND ENCOURAGE ME. BECAUSE OF THEM, I DID MORE AND WENT FARTHER THAN I EVER DREAMED POSSIBLE.

I read on a .gov website recently that children in Texas spend over seven hours each day in school, and repeat this process 180 days each year. That means that each teacher sacrifices over 1,260 hours annually to shape the next generation in the classroom. That does not account for all the time spent before and after school creating lesson plans, grading tests and papers, examining projects, and giving one on one time to students who need extra help.

In this issue we are celebrating teachers who are, or have become, REALTORS® and Preferred Partners. Each one of them brought specialized tools from their teaching “toolbox” into their current position. And each one accesses those tools daily. All of them have found that being a teacher has equipped them to be more efficient and effective, both in their interactions with their clients and with other real estate agents.

As you read the stories of these amazing women, we hope it will stir up your desire to connect, elevate, and inspire those who need what you can teach them, and also those who can teach you! We believe the Communities in Schools article will stir up your desire to connect, elevate, and inspire local teachers as well!

Grateful for the teachers who are changing lives,

Ruth Gnirk, Corpus Christi Real Producers staff writer and copy editor