TOY Speech

My kindergarten Fox and the Hound metal lunch box $7

1^st pair of glasses (just-in-time for the launch of my 5^th grade awkward stage) $50

Senior Prom $75

My first computer $800

A Christian College Education $30,000

Being here in Nashville at Union Station with my parents, James & Rita Buckner, my extended family Mrs. Schimmels, Kris, Randy & Rhonda Parris, school administrators Mr. Losh, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Glasscock, state dignitaries, & the most outstanding, gifted, dedicated teachers in the entire state of Tennessee…priceless.

Priceless…like so many moments that occur in life:

Who can put a price on the value of parents who made sacrifices to make sure the 3 Buckner girls had a good education & a strong sense of morals, faith & family.

How do you define the net worth of Mr. James Sink, my high school math teacher for 5 years (yes 5, it’s a small rural 8-12 high school in Bland, VA)? He also coached our academic math team to a Championship my senior year and allowed me to teach his Algebra class one day during my senior year.

How do you assess the opportunity to the lead and influence students through various summer camps and mission trips given to me by State Youth & Christian Education Directors, Terry Hart & Randy Parris.

Why does one take a chance like Dale Hughes did when he first hired me? Yes, I am sure the fact that I broke up a fight and put out a locker fire as a student teacher didn’t hurt, but why take a chance on someone with such inexperience as a teacher?

How do you realize the value in others like Randy & Rhonda Parris have done in me? Like a diamond in the rough you have challenged me to be prepared for life’s opportunities with trust, excellence, and integrity.

How do you measure the investment of a Master Teacher, the late Dr. Cliff Schimmels who inspired, supported and continually encouraged me to be more than I ever thought I could be? He taught me the power of “hanging out” and opened my world view as I joined him and the team on a trip to the Ukraine. I am forever changed as a person and especially as an educator because of his influence. Doc lived the statement that “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” You see, Dr. Schimmels valued people, he valued relationships, and he made me feel valuable.

There are so many things in life that we value

Family, education, leadership, and relationships …

Take for instance this brand new $100 bill, I mean who in education wouldn’t want it? That’s 50 packs of Crayola markers, 30 boxes of Kleenex or 20 bottles of hand sanitizer. It’s money and money speaks of prestige and value.

But what if we were to wrinkle it, mark it, make fun of it …Does it change it’s value…of course not…we would all still want it. It may look different, but it’s value has not changed.

If we tore in into pieces, we’d still want it, because regardless of what you do to it….a U.S. bank will always be willing to give you a brand new PERFECT $100 bill in exchange for it. Its value has not changed. Regardless of the shape it was in….the US Treasury knows that it is was and always will be worth $100!

People are like that too. Each one of us individually has value. The same is true for education. Every child that enters our classroom, every student we have ever taught, every person that crosses our path…has value.

I. WE ALL HAVE VALUE!

It doesn’t matter if ….

o Life Gets Wrinkle

§ Have to move

§ Don’t make the right grade in a class

o Marked on or Labeled

§ Too young, old, tall, short, poor, rich, fat, skinny…the list goes on

o Made fun of!

§ And who hasn’t been made fun of…. Middle school…kids are honest and cruel…but adults are not much better…we just hide it better

o Or even worse Torn into pieces

§ Harsh words spoken

§ Broken marriage

§ Death of a loved one

In life, everyday, we deal with students, people who are

o Wrinkled, Labeled, Made fun of, or in pieces

They just need to be reminded of their value. We just need to be reminded of our value. According to Ps. 139 are all fearfully and wonderfully made.

II. The good part is that not only do we all have value, but we have the opportunity to help others see their value every time we come in contact with them.

Ø The real opportunity we have is how well we choose to see the value in others?

Ø Every time we meet someone…we have the opportunity to speak into their lives. We have a chance to bless them; encourage them; believe in them. Whether speaking a word of kindness, teaching a new concept or just listening. It’s very easy to help others see their value, improve their self-concept, and realize their dreams.

You see…this $100 bill represents more than things that are dear to a teachers heart like crayons, Kleenex and hand sanitizer. It represents all that we are….all we have to offer…and all that we can become.

Receiving this award tonight does these same things for me personally. First of all, as a teacher I feel appreciated, affirmed and valued: a rare feeling for a teacher… And it feels awesome. Secondly, this award confirms what Randy, Rhonda, Ken, John, & Dr Schimmels have taught and invested in me. I do have value and I have grown.

Being in Nashville to receive this honor reconfirms that I can’t be away from my students too long, because I miss them already.

Ø I cant wait to check in on Amie one of our new teachers, to see how her classes are going

Ø I want to be there for Daniel in 4^th period who says no one cares about him

Ø I am so excited about Student council is about to embark on our largest project of the year for needy students in our community.

Ø For the many other students like Sarah Calfee, Jennifer Waddell, and Jason Kincaid who say they want to be teachers.