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Incredible teacher was life inspiration TO THE EDITOR: I should be writing this letter directly to Mrs. Lunceford, but wanted to get these thoughts down immediately after reading the article in this week's paper and thinking of her all the time. I wanted her to know how much I appreciate her. Mrs. Lunceford was my teacher when public schools were integrated in 1971. She taught me skills that, to this day, changed my life. It was Mrs. Lunceford who taught me how to shake hands - I am so often complimented on my handshake - that it is a firm grip and one of confidence - and I think of her every time someone says that to me. She taught me shorthand - which I still use to this day. It comes in handy in every single phase of my life. I have had many fabulous, wonderful jobs that led to high-paying administrative positions because of business skills that I learned from Mrs. Lunceford. She taught me how to interview for jobs through a very comical routine fit for Saturday Night Live - good interview/bad interview. It was hilarious and I shall never forget it and I've used it often. What an impact it had on me! She taught me about and peaked my interest in learning about other cultures. She told us often about her many travels and the people she encountered and their customs. I left Washington, Georgia, wanting to travel because of Mrs. Lunceford. I so looked forward to going to her class as she was both entertaining and filled with knowledge and useful information. She was one of the few white teachers at the high school whom I really believed had no biases and was there for the success of all students. She was kind, caring, and nurturing and I cannot thank her enough for the many skills she taught me that have had a tremendous impact on my life and caused me to have the successes I've had - personally, financially and otherwise. Mrs. Lunceford was an incredible teacher. I was not surprised at all reading the article about her teaching ESL and her active involvement in the community from theater, to teaching, to religion, to ..... I would never be surprised by anything that she does, because it was very apparent to me very early on that I was in the presence of a very special person when I met her in 1971. She was this tall, elegant, beautiful woman with absolute charm and grace and a genuine love for all people. I think her husband's name was Mel and she was quite the contrast from him physically but I believe they were the same spiritually. She would not have tolerated less. That too was a lesson for me from Mrs. Lunceford. There hasn't been a week in nearly 33 years that I have not thought of her. I want to thank her publicly and privately for what she has meant to me. There have been other teachers of significance to me in Washington and I have, fortunately, had the opportunities to express to them my appreciation personally. Mrs. Nancy Gunby, my first grade teacher who has always been near and dear to me all my life. Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Finnell who are both absolute gems and continue to be shining examples for devotion and commitment to community, to family, to teaching and to the church. The article on Professor Jackson in last week's paper was fabulous and "Fessor" Jackson also had an impact on my life and my sisters. He was everything that everyone said in the article and then some. I think the kids today would say, "he was all that and a bag of chips" These people made a real difference in my life and I am eternally grateful. To teachers all over the world, we are grateful to you and for those teachers are go above and beyond the call (as many do) we are even more grateful. I was fortunate to have all of the people mentioned above and certainly wish that every child could have them and a Bolton Lunceford in their life.
ANN ANDREWS COOPER
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