Looking back: two teachers provided inspiration

Forty years ago, my first-grade teacher, Rosemary Cherry, placed high expectations on me. When one can speed read at age three, those things happen. She always knew what buttons to push and kept me in line when I didn't act right.

No teacher came close during the rest of my days at Cottondale Elementary. My grades were okay, but those teachers couldn't reach me.
Until my junior year at Holt High 30 years ago. Up to that point, I was inconsistent through junior high and two years of high school.
I signed up for a class called Speech Communications,  taught by Gail Cates.  The year-long class was a mixture of making a newspaper, making speeches, broadcast TV, school, newspaper, advertising and acting.

The year was a turning point for me. I decided to major in journalism. Under Cates, I found out writing was my true passion.
I've won countless awards as a newspaper reporter, written 36 E-Books and four printed books.
I can't imagine my success without the impact these two teachers had on me.
Cherry and Cates each have dedications in my print books, but their value to me is much more.