We all have that one special teacher – an educator that made us feel valued and believed in us. Maybe they sparked our interest in science, taught us how to be part of a team, or were just a kind ear that listened when we needed it the most.
At MOD, we know the massive impact teachers have on our communities. Supporting teachers and school staff with our annual discount is one method of Spreading MODness – the ripple effect of simply doing the right thing.
But stories are also a powerful way to honor the tireless work of teachers. Our MOD Squad has been impacted by countless educators that believed in them, and pushed them toward greatness.
Here are four of those stories…
MOD Squadder: Tia Wolfe, Field Marketing Coordinator in Philadelphia region
Teacher: Robyn Wolfe
“Before my mom started her teaching career in the public-school system, she homeschooled my three siblings and I for five years. (I was homeschooled until the 4th grade.) My mom was the greatest teacher I ever had. She made learning so much fun and hands-on. When I learned to read, she helped me make puppets and throw a puppet show based on the story of my first book. When I was learning to write and spell, she would pour salt onto a cookie sheet so we could draw the letters out in the salt with our fingers. There are countless examples of how she inspired a love of learning in me from the start, and that love of learning has stayed with me through my life. When you love to learn, you want to take on new challenges and always grow — whether that’s for work, school, or personal growth. I attribute all of my success in life to that.”
MOD Squadder: Lina Barren, Squad Member in Oregon
Teacher: Annarose Pandey
“During my second semester of high school, I started working for MOD Pizza and had a particularly rough day at work. My first instinct was to email Mrs. Pandey and ask her what to do, and she emailed me back almost instantly with a list of books I’d enjoy and some advice about going forward. It gave me the confidence to improve and keep going. She would always check up on me and make sure I was doing well. She was like a second mom to me. When I told her during the last week of school — with my heart bursting out of my chest with happiness — that I was going to graduate because I passed my algebra credit, the look of pride on her face is something I’ll never forget. I can’t wait until the next time I get to visit her!”
MOD Squadder: Stephen Fry, All-Star Captain in Washington
Teachers: Brendan Williams and Elizabeth Black
“I grew up loving bugs and nature, so when on the first day of class Mr. Williams greeted us outside the door, cockroach in hand, I knew I had found a home away from home in science lab. We watched documentaries, raised insects and fish, grew plants and learned about the world around us. His passion and youthful exuberance are contagious, and there was never a dull moment for me in his class. And Mrs. Black pushed me every day to be my best self. She knew when I wasn’t trying, and always knew exactly what to do or say to help motivate me not only to be the best writer I could be, but to also help those around me at the same time.
Thank you for your patience and understanding. Thank you for donating your time to us — the kids who could not sit still, who talked too much, who drank Red Bull and made your lives way more difficult than they should have been. I only hope to one day live up to the potential you both saw in me. Thank you for allowing me to believe in myself and follow my passions. I will not let you down.”
MOD Squadder: Tosha Black, All-Star Captain in California
Teacher: Stephanie Payés-Santacruz
“My first day in San Jose, after moving there in 2009 from San Diego, was also my first day of high school. I got off the plane and arrived at a school I never wanted to go to in the first place. I was a troublemaker — always being sent out of class for saying or doing something. One day I was sent out and Ms. Payés asked if I wanted to go on a walk. I said sure and we ended up walking for two full class periods. I call her the teacher of life because had she not shown me that she cared, I was planning on dropping out. It’s because of her, I am the first in my family to have graduated on time. She took this little punk rock girl and made her something. I got two college acceptance letters and a high school diploma because she showed me I could. Thank you Ms. Payés for being the best teacher of life I could have ever asked for!”
