EDITOR'S NOTE: The Kentucky State AFL-CIO has endorsed Taylor in his campaign to retake his Eighth District House seat. He is from Hopkinsville.
By JEFF TAYLOR
Do you remember your first grade teacher's name? I do, it was Mrs. Baxter. When I was 5-years-old, she was more than my teacher. Like other elementary teachers, she was also a surrogate mother. She taught me how to write. I remember every teacher I ever had. I appreciate each of them.
My sixth grade teacher, Mr. Ashby, was my first male teacher. I met him at that awkward time we go through. He was a science buff. He was also my Boy Scout Troop leader and took us camping.
My high school biology teacher, Mr. Bingham, taught me how to dissect a frog. After school he taught me Karate. Due to the time he spent with me after school, I wanted to impress him and get an A in his class; I did.
I remember my social studies teacher, Mrs. Hughes. She always had a smile for us. Out of the blue she would hug you. This was an awkward feeling for a teenage boy in front of his buddies. She knew it made us feel awkward, but it did not stop her. She often told me how special I was, even though I did not always feel special. She said it enough, and it started to sink in.
I remember my home economics teacher, Mrs. Juanell Crumbie. She was my first African American teacher. She was all of five-feet-tall in heels. I revered and loved her; everyone did.
She would stand toe to toe with the biggest school athletes, like two boxers squaring off. She would put us into check. When I made poor choices, she had a savvy way of putting me back on the right track.
She could roll her eyes back so far into her head that you could only see the whites of her eyes. With a mixture of encouragement and tough love, she would give a stern lecture.
She finished by saying, "Taylor you know better; I expect more out of you!" Those words struck a cord; they stunned me, embarrassed me and at times made me angry. I thought “I will show you.” I set out to win her approval and I did.
After graduating from college, I worked briefly as a substitute teacher -- right back in the same hallways, with the same teachers who helped mold me.
I could always detect and sense their pride. The kid that they were not so sure would make it, did. The kid that they encouraged to do better, did.
Mrs. Crumbie's husband worked for TVA. He took note of me and the choices I made. He referred me for a job that led to a 31-year career with TVA.
We all have stories like this, each citizen, each legislator, even the governor. Teaching is the most important profession we have. Teachers mold and impact the lives of our most precious asset, our children.
It troubles me that some legislators and our governor expect teachers to give our children 110 percent, but will not reciprocate. They expect teachers to retire on just a 401-k without any Social Security. I fear new teachers will never have a sound retirement.
Governor Bevin and legislators who voted in favor on this rushed and unappreciative pension bill, remind me of the words of Mrs. Juanell Crumbie, “You know better! We expect more out of you!”