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This March Writing Challenge of thirty-one questions is hosted by Marquessa, with questions from Alexandra Franzen‘s “100 questions to spark conversation and connect.

All are welcome to join in and a list of the questions can be found here.

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I was fortunate to have many great teachers during my school years, but one will always stand above the rest.

Leon Buford – my fifth grade teacher, and my first African-American teacher.

He was an amazing teacher who not only made learning fun… and sometimes hilarious, but there was a nugget of wisdom and personal responsibility in every lesson.

It was Mr. Buford who first instilled in me not to react to the actions of others. He said people will use all forms of manipulation, even friendship and tears, to exercise control. We’re not responsible for their words and actions, only how we respond to them.

Those words are seared into my brain and not only guided my life decisions, but I passed them on to my children.

Mr. Buford passed away two years ago after teaching hundreds of children in the classroom, and continuing to serve their educational needs as a principal and district administrator.

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Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

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