Dear Readers,

In this heartfelt essay, STENCL Bacon, a friend and mentor, explores his transformative journey from serving in the Navy to becoming a special education teacher. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, he celebrates the educators who've profoundly impacted his life and embraces the values of resilience and mentorship. This narrative also acknowledges the inspirational power of my work, highlighting its role in shaping his approach to education and personal growth. It's a story about the impactful transition from military service to the classroom, and the universal lessons of perseverance and compassion. Happy Reading!

While in Manama, Bahrain, I met a special education teacher at a temporary base, for the US NAVY’s “Gulf Watch”, where the US school-aged children attended stateside-curriculum school, while parents are stationed in the area. My Naval career was turning a corner and retirement was discussed, and I was advised to consider teaching in the Special Education field as a second career. During the ten years subsequent to this advisory, my psyche encountered missile attacks, the loss of 37 mates, Ballistic missiles exploding in the distance out my driver’s side window, a cable snapping on deck and leaving a mate in a wheelchair. Having coached youth sports, leading and motivating aspirants, the chance to teach, train and lead Navy recruits (beginners), came, and I dove into the ‘deep’ - and taught all recruit Navy classes, taught swimming, water survival and physical training. Following retirement, I started substitute teaching and was hired in a university hallway, to take over a teaching assignment in an exclusionary school for juvenile and young adult offenders. Following my heart (to re-locate), taking a position as a sanitation engineer, and completing a Master’s degree in Supervisory Special Education, my destiny was sealed.

Mr. Johnsone was my fourth-grade teacher. He would sprint race with us at morning recess, and could teach us finger painting in the afternoon…and his white shirt looked as stiff-starched at 3:20pm, as it did at 8:15 that morning. Mr. Collins (sixth grade) was short and an unbelievable softball player. He was always the disciplinarian, which was good for me.

From the first grade to graduation from High School, my teachers were women. Women who could sing and teach, women who could draw and teach, drive and teach, were married and could teach, had three or had four (or more) children and teach. They could cry and teach, they could play ball and teach, they could run the school (principal) and teach, fix your playground scars and scrapes, and teach.

All those women in education, never failed, never gave up, never said I can’t do it. People who can’t – are everyday being replaced by those who can! My grands are encouraged to get in the line for “EXCELLENT”. The line for average and ordinary is full of average and ordinary achievers. The line for ECELLENT is short. Get in the EXCELLENT line and stay there. The men who were teachers in my journey, showed me how to dress professionally and behave as a gentleman. The women who were teachers provided emotional attachment (yes, some of them were so beautiful, I still adore them) and I’m keeping my crush on Miss Brown. I would still marry her today!

When I read Sterling’s book, it was as though I was listening to her tell the story. Immediately, it spoke toward a new genre, a different relief, and a message of our time. The compassion of women is a missing link in the chain-circle of “men. Women are the essential ingredient in the education of all of us. S. A. Sterling has initiated and opened a door that can’t close. The emotional pillow women in education provide is the comfort zone where students of every description, denomination, delusion and dedication can reach their God-Given potential.  I recall meeting S. A. for the first time. I knew when she walked in the room. As teachers we never stop learning and I endeavor to learn more than I teach – every moment of every day. S.A. Sterling is an inspiration and she continues to inspire me.  “Ride On!”

STENCL Bacon