LBJ Teacher Shows Students She Cares  

By Debra Dominguez-Lund

LBJ Middle School student Emily Kennedy can describe her teacher, Linda (Welton) Connors, quite succinctly.

"She's incredible," the 14-year-old eighth-grader said.

    Kennedy credits Connors, a literature and language arts teacher, with not only helping her excel academically but with changing her life.  "You see, last year I got in trouble with my teachers," she said. "I got suspended near the end of the school year and expelled right after that.  "Ever since I came to the eighth grade, Ms. Connors has showed me that she actually cares about my well-being and my grades. She is a very nice person, and she has showed me she cares about me."

    Kennedy, who says she now has good grades and is on the school's track team, isn't the only fan of Connors.  Others said she has taught them self-respect, self-control, and self-reliance with inspirational messages she posts daily.  Many students also eagerly offered that Connors is successful because she's knowledgeable, patient, caring, and most important, "she listens."

    The 65-year-old teacher, who has been an educator for 38 years, said those are traits an educator needs, especially in middle school.

    "You have to obviously know your subject matter well— that's a given," she said. "But I think really caring about your students is just as important. My students know I run a tight ship in my classroom, but they know I do it because I care."

    Editor's note:
We want to recognize teachers, students, parents or others who make a difference in your child's education.

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