AHartselle’s teacher legacies

An article dated Sept. 9, 2022 in The New York Post asserted teachers have such a strong influence on our lives that six in ten adult parents claim they can name every teacher they had in their childhood.

The article went on to claim that “three in four parents credit their former teachers for positively influencing their lives (76%) — such as showing them how to be a better person (58%) or impacting the hobbies they picked up (52%). Half even saw [a teacher] as a role model (51%).”

So imagine the influence that a teacherparent has on his or her own children – and perhaps even on their choice of career.

BY SUSAN HAYES HARTSELLE CITY SCHOOLS FEDERAL

Hartselle has many excellent teachers whose only tie to Hartselle schools is the job they hold right now, but we also employ a surprising number of teachers who are legacies.

Mariann Evans Parker teaches first grade at Barkley Bridge Elementary School. She is the daughter of Hartselle teacher Sarah Ann Evans and the granddaughter of teacher Kathryn Thompson Poole. Parker says her teaching legacy has given her great personal and professional satisfaction.

“I saw how much [my mother and grandmother] loved helping children grow in academics and in character. Their joy led me to want to be a teacher, as well,” Parker said.

Hartselle High School’s Randall Key sees his personal teaching philosophy as stemming directly from his teachermother Annie Jo Key.

“From my mother I learned discipline, diligence, consistency and compassion,” he said. Key works to bring these qualities into his own classroom and professional practice. When these teacher-mothers and teacher-fathers were working to take care of the children in their classrooms, it is doubtful that they were even aware of the influence their words and actions were having on their own children at home.

Hartselle Intermediate School’s Brooke Pettey Tankersley says, “From my stepmother I learned a valuable lesson that I carry with me today. Don’t sweat the small stuff. If I am frustrated by spilled coffee or a jammed copy machine or a missed email, I remind myself that what matters is that moment when a struggling student grasps a difficult concept, or that hand-drawn Christmas card from my shy, quiet student.” In her role as special services coordinator, Lee Anne Pettey was reaching more young people than she realized at the time.

Collin Hanners was moved by the former students with fond memories or words of thanks who would approach his father, HHS teacher Jeff Hanners. The younger Hanners credits witnessing these moments with moving him to “serve [his] community as an educator.” On occasion, these teacher-mothers and teacher-fathers get to watch their children stand before their own classrooms.

Advanced geometry teacher Donna Legg-Battles gushed, “It is the grandest privilege of my teaching career to have my daughter teach with me in the math department at Hartselle High School. She is a fabulous teacher and I learn just as much from her as she learns from me. I know the future is in good hands in this school I love so much.”

Daughter Sarah Ellen Battles Anders is equally exuberant. “Growing up as a student in Hartselle City Schools, I dreamed of one day coming back to Hartselle to teach. I never imagined that my math classroom might be near my mother’s. My mother has taught me everything I know, and I am learning everything from her that I can in this time we have together at HHS.”

The real power in teachers who come from generations of teachers is an understanding of the lasting effects a teacher can have. Teachers must carry this understanding to school with them every day just as they carry a lesson plan or a gradebook.

Crestline’s Olivia Godsey Gillette, daughter of BBES second grade teacher Amanda Godsey and former football coach Bob Godsey, says, “Nothing makes me more proud than continuing the legacy [my parents] began and doing my best to contribute to the legacy of this great school system.”

Hartselle is proud of its traditions. This is simply one more.

RRemember a toasty, buttery, cheesy grilled cheese your mom used to make when she didn’t want to make a big dinner? This will give you all the sweet nostalgia of your childhood, but you’ll feel like a 5-star chef when you’re done!

NOT YOUR MOTHER’S GRILLED CHEESE

By Emily Norris Southern Fried Skinny

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Loaf of Sourdough Bread

• 1 stick salted butter, softened

• ¾ tsp. garlic powder

• ¼ cup shredded mild cheddar

• 2 slices provolone

• 2 slices Colby jack

• 2 slices Havarti

Cream cheese mixture

• 1/3 cup cream cheese

• 1/5 tbsp mayonnaise

• ¼ tsp garlic powder

• 1/8 tsp. black pepper

• ½ tsp. Italian seasoning

• ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes

Instructions

Thickly slice bread. In a bowl, mix butter, garlic powder and shredded cheddar. Spread on outer side of each slice of bread. Flip bread over and add one slice of provolone and Colby jack. Spread cream cheese mixture on top of sliced cheese. Top that with one slice of Havarti and second piece of bread to close sandwich. Melt a tablespoon of butter in a skillet over medium low heat. Add in sandwiches, cover with a lid and allow the bottom to crisp up. Flip and repeat.

Savory Tomato Soup

By Emily Norris Southern Fried Skinny

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp. salted butter

• ½ cup diced carrots

• 1 yellow onion

• 2 tbsp. minced garlic

• 3 sprigs fresh thyme

• 2 ½ cups chicken (or vegetable) broth

• 28 ounces fire roasted tomatoes

• 2 tbsp. tomato paste

• 1/3 cup roasted red peppers

• 2 tbsp. sundried tomatoes

• ½ tsp. garlic powder

• ½ tsp. onion powder

• ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper

LLooking for some chilly day comfort food but don’t want boring? Impress yourself and family or guests with this homemade tomato soup! No need to worry about sodium or processed junk from a can. This recipe is easy and has such a broad flavor profile. It’s even customizable so you can tweak to add more of what you like.

• ¼ tsp. black pepper

• ¾ tsp. smoked paprika

• 1 tsp. oregano

• 1.5 tsp. sugar

• Salt to taste

• ¼ cup packed fresh basil leaves

• 1 cup heavy cream

• ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

In a Dutch oven (or large stock pot) over medium heat, melt butter and add in carrots, onion, garlic and thyme. Cook until veggies begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add in chicken broth, tomatoes, tomato paste, peppers and spices. Stir and let ingredients come to a simmer. Cover and reduce heat to low and let simmer about 15 minutes, continuing to stir every few minutes. Stir in basil leaves. Remove from heat and add soup mixture to a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth. Return soup back to Dutch oven over low heat. Add cream and parmesan cheese and stir well. Serve immediately!

Kitchen notes:

• Don’t worry with finely dicing carrots and onion. Your food processor will take care of it for you.

• You may add more or less cayenne pepper, depending on the level of heat you like.

• No blender or food processor, or just don’t want to dirty one up? Grab your immersion blender! Soup can be as chunky or smooth as you prefer.

• If preparing this and not quite ready to serve yet, just let it sit on warm or low in your Dutch oven on the stove. Add in cream and cheese just before serving.