Teachers have been heralded in the press recently for saving the lives of their students during a fierce tornado in Oklahoma. Stories of teachers huddled over small children protecting them from debris and harm have been ubiquitous. To think that teachers have also been blamed for low student achievement and the decline in our educational system has me baffled.

Both of my children attended the Advanced Music Studies program offered at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School through Frederick County Public Schools. The music program offers intensive music theory and music performance training. There’s always been music in our house, and I was elated to have my daughter and son accepted in this very special program.

While attending the music program, both Tiffany and Timmy were fortunate enough to have Mr. Jennings Glenn as a teacher. Mr. Glenn encouraged both of my children to reach beyond what they thought they were capable of, to question the status quo, and to be creative individuals. He showed them the relevance of music to their lives and how music can inspire us to new levels of thinking outside the box.

While both of my children focused on vocal music performance, Mr. Glenn encouraged them to explore instrumental music. He encouraged Tiffany to perform on her harp and challenged her to conquer difficult musical pieces. He inspired Timmy to work in musical composition, and challenged my son’s creative abilities. As a result there's now an electric piano in our music room in addition to the old Kohler and Campbell.

Music is one of the first programs to face the chopping block when school districts look to reduce spending. Mr. Glenn encouraged my daughter and son to be creative, to look from a different perspective. He challenged them to solve problems in musical composition, to work with groups, and to believe in themselves. These are life skills that they use as adults today.

Mr. Glenn was a role model for his students. He took his music out in to the community and shared his gift with others. As Plato said, “Music is the movement of sound to reach the soul for the education of its virtue.” Mr. Glenn embodied Plato’s thought.

We’ve all had a special teacher, the one who inspired us. Many of us have been fortunate to have had many teachers like Mr. Glenn. Those who enter the teaching profession are called to do so. They love what they are doing, and they love our kids, so much so that they risk their lives for them. A society that values its children must also value its education system and its teachers.

Make some time this week to thank a teacher, and better yet, contact your legislators and let them know how much you value teachers.