Never underestimate the impact you might have on someone’s life. It’s true for all of us, but especially true for educators. While most teachers will help you learn specific skills, which is laudable in itself, others teach so much more.

Some help you learn about yourself and even have the potential to shape the course of your life in ways.

A few months ago I heard from someone who had always been an important mentor in my life and yet had been such a fleeting part of the grand scheme.

In high school I wasn’t an achiever, I was often in trouble and I had fairly terrible grades. Frankly, my high school offered little in the way of electives and my interest in math and science wasn’t particularly strong. I was barred from participating in most extra curricular and the classroom I spent the most time in was probably detention.

I failed to make many connections with most of my teachers and never had that “coach” that I heard people talk about changing their lives. But there were a few teachers that stood out. One in particular really seemed to get it. To understand where I was coming from. It wasn’t a battle to be in her class and the assignments seemed to have a bit more meaning. They made me think not just about the work, but about the world and my place in it.

That teacher was Beth Konkoski. Some of you might know her as she taught at Lisbon Central School in the 1990s and is a native of the Norfolk area.

Beth was the teacher who helped me discover that writing was a niche that came easier to me than most. Writing became a way to cope, vent and channel frustrations, feelings and emotions. At that age it was a well used gift.

When I shipped to Buffalo for college I enrolled in a variety of writing classes and got involved in the student paper, which eventually led me to a career in writing of sorts.

At some point before I graduated Beth moved out of state where she continued to teach. Literal decades went by since I’d seen or heard from her, but recently I became aware that she was the winner of the 2023 Acacia Fiction Prize for her collection of short stories titled ‘A Drawn and Papered Heart.’

As winner of the award Beth’s book is being published and can be preordered at https://www.kallistogaiapress.org/product/a-drawn-papered-heart/ or amazon.com for a June 11 release.

This led to an interview opportunity where I was able to speak with her about her work and life. You’ll be able to read more about that soon when I finish the article that’s been delayed far too long.

Things have been busy here at the paper for the last few months, but if I’m being honest it’s also hard to write about the success of my former English teacher, because there is pressure to do it proper justice.

The stories included in her book are personal and though mostly fiction they are real and raw and honest.

It’s rare for me to feel excited or nervous about an interview after so many years in the business, but I have to say this one was different.

I appreciated the chance to share with Beth that her teaching had stuck with me and I am thankful for the opportunity to support her new journey and tell her story.

Although I’m not a teacher, I am in the business of informing people.

It’s often a thankless job that comes with far more criticism than praise. Unfortunately, I know teachers often face a similar sentiment from the public. But I’m here to remind you educators that what you do can have an impact. Connecting with students is important.

Take pride in the successes of those you taught, because even if you don’t realize it, you are shaping futures.