Giving thanks to teachers (aka in memoriam to Beth Wood)
By Scott Leadingham | November 27th, 2009
It’s a day after Thanksgiving – but I can still give thanks, right?
As if teachers weren’t already underappreciated, I wonder how little thanks students give to those teachers who truly care. The ones that will stick out their necks. The ones that will help students personally and professionally.
For me that was Beth Wood, a journalism instructor at Indiana University. I technically didn’t have her for a journalism class, but rather PR for nonprofits. It was one of the most practically useful classes I took in graduate school. It also led to my job at SPJ.
For the class, fellow students and I designed a strategic communications and marketing plan for a local nonprofit organization. The all volunteer-run group was thankful for any help they could get. I was thankful I’d taken the class from Beth.
Post-graduation, I was working briefly producing and researching podcasts for a university research institution. Beth knew I was looking for a full-time job. She heard about a communications position at SPJ and practically made me apply. She helped polish my resume and offered useful feedback on a sample policy-oriented press release I wrote for the application.
I guess it worked, and here I sit a year and a half later, now as editor of Quill magazine. She was nice enough to invite me back last school year to speak to her undergraduate class.
Beth died Nov. 14 after a long battle with lung cancer. She’d taught class the week before. Her death was sudden and shocking to me and, I’m sure, her students, colleagues, family and friends.
Beth Wood, IU journalism instructor
Even more shocking was that I realized I’d never fully thanked Beth for her help, not only with career assistance but as a dedicated, thoughtful and selfless instructor. I know I wrote her an e-mail or two, updating her on my “life” and expressing gratitude for her help. But I can’t help but wonder: Was it enough?
Probably not.
I left the following comments in a news piece about Beth’s death on the IU School of Journalism Web site:
“Professor Wood was undoubtedly one of the most inspiring and engaging professors I’ve ever encountered. Taking a practical, not theoretical, approach to instruction, she gave students what they need: real-world lessons on how to do their jobs. She made students want to come to class – and she treated them as equals, especially at the graduate level, and always valued every student’s input. On a personal level, she guided me and gave me much-welcomed career advice – and even helped me land a job after graduation. For her helpfulness on a professional level, I am forever thankful. For her openness, honesty, sincerity, welcoming and amazingly bright personality, I will always cherish our interactions. She will be missed, not only by me and her former students, but by all who will never have the chance to take a class from the incredible Beth Wood.”
Lesson learned.
To students and young journalists: You have skills, and don’t underestimate those skills and their ability to advance your career. But there are people who help you at every step of the way. An instructor. An editor. A parent. An adviser. A mentor. A friend. Take time to properly thank the people in your life who have gone above and beyond on your behalf.
To teachers and all those who help students: Thank you! You’re appreciated, even if we young bucks don’t show it.
To Beth: You’re wonderful and a gift to all students. You will be sorely missed. Thank you.