Tiffany Latshaw: That’s why I became a teacher, because honestly, one good teacher can save a kid’s life. 

[Intro music plays in the background.]

Introduction

Janet Pilcher: Hello everyone, welcome to the Accelerate Your Performance podcast. I’m your host, Dr. Janet Pilcher, founder and president of Studer Education. 

I’m so glad you’re here today. In celebration of the release of my new book with Quint Studer, The Extraordinary Gift: Our Teachers, I wanted to do something special to recognize the incredible impact educators have on all of our lives. 

Last week, Quint and I engaged in a conversation on a videocast talking about why we wrote the book. And a couple of weeks ago, I shared my own story about Mrs. Coleman, a teacher who made a lasting difference in my life. That same story is also featured in the book. 

I continue to be amazed by the stories we continue to hear after people have read the book. As the school year begins, I can’t think of a better way to appreciate teachers than to share some of the stories that I’m hearing. One story leads to another until we hear millions of them, and that’s the awesome impact that teachers have on people’s lives. 

And while the stories you’ll hear today aren’t in the book, there our way of celebrating the profound impact teachers have on all of us. These two stories are told by two of our Studer Education team members after they read the book. It supports why they are so committed to the work with educators and leaders we partner with every day. And I know you’ll be as moved as I am by the stories that they tell. 

So our first story is shared by Tiffany Latshaw, a coach associate here at Studer Education. Listen along as she shares about the teacher who changed her life in the midst of a challenging time and eventually inspired her to become a teacher. 

Interview

Tiffany Latshaw: Hi, my name is Tiffany Latshaw, and I am a Coach Associate at Studer Education. I’ve worked here for three years, and here’s my story. 

I come from a long line of educators. Teaching you could say is in my blood, but the path that led me to it wasn’t smooth. And honestly, I wouldn’t wish it upon any other child. 

I grew up in California with my mom and my little brother. My mom was always a heavy addict for, honestly, as long as I can remember. I don’t ever remember having a stocked fridge. There were no weekly grocery trips to stock up. We had no routine. I didn’t even have clothes that fit or clean clothes at all. And school, I was never made to go. Truly, it was optional and forgotten. It was so optional that I don’t even have those early memories of activities in classrooms or playing out on the playground or lifelong friends. By third grade, it became really clear that my mom could not take care of my brother, nor I anymore. We were left home for days at a time. It honestly just wasn’t safe anymore. And eventually, we were all split up. 

So my brother went to go live with his dad, and I was sent to Florida to live with my dad. And the plan was just that our mom was gonna get back on her feet and we would shortly return and be a happy family again. But that never happened. So there I was, you know, this lost kid starting the second half of third grade at a new school in a new city. I, actually, it was Ensley Elementary School in Pensacola, Florida. 

And as expected, I was angry, confused. I missed my mom and I missed my brother. I was acting out. I got referrals and I was labeled a problem student. I could feel that my teacher did not like me. I was a disruption to her class and she made sure that I knew it. That year was, of course, less than stellar, but then came fourth grade and everything changed for me. 

It didn’t all change at once. My dad was also a very heavy addict and living with him quickly became a nightmare. So just before fourth grade started, I moved in with my grandparents, and that’s where I finally found stability. It was the first time in my life I had a bedtime. First time I had a routine. To be honest, it was the first time I even had a bedroom of my own. 

I had clothes that fit, and we ate dinner together every night. All of this should have been amazing, right? And to be honest, in many ways it was, but I didn’t know how to be in that kind of environment. And to be frank, I didn’t know how to trust that it would last. 

But then came Mr. Harry Tripp. He was my fourth grade teacher and he changed everything for me. He saw me, you know, who I was, not the referrals, not the disruption, not the angry kid that didn’t know how to sit still. He just saw me, and most importantly, he believed in me when I didn’t even know how to believe in myself. And he wouldn’t let me give up. 

When I acted out, he didn’t punish me and push me away. He didn’t embarrass me in front of my class. He pulled me aside and spoke to me with kindness and respect and would ask me what’s really going on. Honestly, it was like someone, you know, wiped the film off my eyes and let me see what life could be. For the first time, you know, Mr. Tripp showed me what it felt like to be liked by a teacher and to be encouraged by a teacher. And this was the first time I had been told I had potential, potential to achieve something and something big. 

I think about Mr. Tripp all the time. I honestly don’t even know if it was his teaching strategies or just really his unwavering belief in me that really changed the trajectory of my life. But it did. I think about him all the time. I don’t know where he is, but if I could say one thing to him, it would be thank you. Thank you, Mr. Tripp, for seeing me and for changing my life. 

Because of him, I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else one day. And that’s why I became a teacher. Because honestly, one good teacher can save a kid’s life. And he saved mine. 

Janet Pilcher: Tiffany, thank you for sharing your story. Mr. Tripp’s care for you is a powerful testament to the fact that as you said, one good teacher can truly save a kid’s life. 

Tiffany’s story shares a common thread with our next story from Casey Blochowiak, our Vice President for Leader Coaching. Listen as Casey reflects on a pivotal moment in her life and the important role educators played in it. 

Casey Blochowiak: Hello, I’m Casey Blochowiak, and I’m honored to serve Studer Education as the Vice President for Leader Coaching. And I’m thrilled to be with you today sharing a story of how I was impacted by a tremendous teacher and elementary school principal in a pretty traumatic time in my family’s life. 

We were living in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and had recently moved there. Hadn’t yet created really strong bonds in the community. But my mom and I felt really, really comfortable and welcomed by the school, by the principal, Mrs. B, by my fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Sudbeck, and just instantly felt this wraparound of safety and being seen. 

And pretty quickly after moving to Sioux Falls and starting at a new school, my family experienced a pretty significant situation with very little options of places to go. I remember my mother putting me in the car and the two of us were driving around and it was after school. I’d already been dropped off on the bus and she looked over at me and said, “We’re going to the school.” 

And here the two of us were. We showed up at the front door of the school. It was very clearly the end of the school day, and knowing what I know now, I’m sure the office staff and the building principal and the teachers were certainly ready to make their way home after a very long day. But they took one look at my mother and I and ushered us into the school. And I remember just being just wrapped in their warmth and safety and that everything was going to be okay. 

And I’ve thought back on that situation so many times in my life and realized what an important role those individuals played in my life. And I knew that school was much more than a place to help me learn academics and to feel confident in that way. But really should be a place where all students, all parents and caregivers can feel like they can go if they need support. 

Conclusion

Janet Pilcher: Casey’s experience reinforces the idea that an educator’s care and concern can create a profound sense of security for students. Hers is a heartfelt example of how a school community, through the actions of a few dedicated people, can offer a safe haven and a foundation of support when it’s needed the most. 

Thank you, Casey, for reminding us that schools are much more than just a place for academics. They’re a vital community resource where students and families can find help and hope. 

What’s so striking about both of these stories is the common thread that runs through them: the power of being seen. For both Tiffany and Casey, a teacher or school leader didn’t just see them as a student in a classroom. They saw a child in need of kindness, respect, and a safe place to land. It was that simple act of truly seeing them that created a solid sense of security. 

These stories underscore the far-reaching impact of teachers, their ability to connect, inspire, and create a lasting positive impact on a child’s life that they carry with them long into adulthood. 

[Outro music plays in the background.]

Thank you, Casey and Tiffany, for shining a light on the power of one good educator. 

As we go into this next week, let us not forget the incredible power we have to make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Let’s commit to seeing people for their unique struggles and strengths, showing them that they belong, that they matter. 

And be sure to tune in next week for part two, where we’ll hear from a couple more people on our team sharing their gratitude for the teachers who changed their lives. Until then, reflect on your story. What teacher made a meaningful difference in your life, how did that influence who you are today? Also, when you see a teacher doing something special, thank them. Show your gratitude for the extraordinary work that they do. 

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Accelerate Your Performance podcast. I look forward to seeing you next time as we continue to honor the educators who have shaped our lives. Have a great week, everyone.