“Teaching is not just a job. Teachers are called by God,” says Mount Auburn Elementary teacher Sharon Ross.
A mentor for six new district teachers, Ross knows what it takes to help a child succeed, and she shares her views freely with her new recruits.
“It takes patience and understanding. You have to know where the whole child is coming from before you can deal with the mind.”
Ross, a 1976 graduate of Skyline High School, lived across the street from Mount Auburn as a child and has taught there for 19 years. When the school changed to K-3 this past year, she gave up her job as a a fourth- and fifth-grade math teacher to stay at the school she loves.
A former Teacher of the Year at Mount Auburn, Ross is married and has a 6-year-old son. She makes it clear that she takes her mission as a teacher seriously:
“I believe no one should live without someone knowing you lived. By being a teacher, you give so much of yourself to others, there’s always a piece of you going around somewhere.”
Dedicated teachers like Sharon Ross are why the Dallas City Council of PTAs is scheduling a special event on May 7 to honor the Dallas Independent School District’s educators.
“Hats Off! to Dallas Teachers” began in the Õ80s when Positive Parents of Dallas worked to spotlight the teaching profession each May during National Teacher Appreciation Week. After a hiatus of several years, the Dallas City Council of PTAs will revive “Hats Off!” with a special event at the Coca-Cola Starplex from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
The PTA Council is offering entertainment, refreshments, door prizes, teacher recognitions, and a “goody bag” for each DISD teacher attending. Acting Superintendent James Hughey will head up a program that will include several VIP appearances.
In addition, The Science Place, the Dallas Museum of Natural History, the Dallas Aquarium and the African-American History Museum will be open, according to the event planners. The Museum of Natural History will host a treasure hunt and offer special teacher packets as well as discounts in the museum shop.
