“Our best teachers… instill a true desire to learn.”
How is it already August? The older I get the more I understand and appreciate the southern expression:
time slips away quicker than a greased pig at the county fair.
John and I have been empty nesters for some time now. Even so, when August rolls around each year, I still have the urge to buy the following items in bulk: mechanical pencils, loose-leaf paper, spiral-bound notebooks in a variety of colors, a sturdy canvas backpack, boxes of ultra soft tissue paper, and lemon-scented disinfecting wipes.
Back-to-school shopping reminds me of teachers and of the importance of their job. As a young person, I had the great fortune of being taught by a number of wonderful teachers, some in formal education settings such as public school or Sunday School and others within the walls of my childhood home. With much gratitude, I dedicate this month’s website blog to the inspirational teachers of this world.
Did you notice the word instill in the title of this blog? Thus far, all of my 2026 website blogs have prominently featured words that contain the letters s-t-i-l-l. August continues this repeating pattern with the use of the word instill. It’s a verb that comes from the Latin, instillare, meaning to drip or drop.
In preparation for writing this article, I sought out and read multiple definitions for instill. Merriam-Webster’s definition was my favorite: “to cause to enter drop by drop.”
That’s exactly what great teachers do. They give inspiration and knowledge to students one spoonful (or drop) at a time. Education is not a sprint; it’s a marathon—the culmination of many steps over an extended period of time.
Our best teachers do more than impart facts and figures—
they inspire and encourage students and instill a true desire to learn. That's a fine art in itself.
-
Sonny Perdue
former governor & senator
of Georgia
Teachers have one of the most important tasks in our society. And yet, sadly, they are among the most overworked and underpaid folks in today’s workplace. To add insult to injury, many days, theirs is a thankless job.
Being a former teacher, I know from personal experience that one does not enter this profession for the financial perks. The reward for doing this job well is knowing that you are helping others to grow and learn. For me, it was also the knowledge that I was doing what God had called me to do.
If you can read, and you understand what you are reading, you can do anything.
— Gwen Carlton
former high school librarian
(Thanks for teaching me to read, Mom!)
Dear Lord, thank you for the folks in my life who have instilled my love of books, music, and art. Bless all the teachers of the 2026-2027 school year. Help them to celebrate their classroom victories and to persevere during the challenging days. Grant them the wisdom and the patience that can only come from You. Amen.