I stood in a noisy group of sixth grade students, waiting for the answer to our burning question: What type of crazy tie would Mr. Miller be wearing today?
Our teacher walked around the comer with a GREEN ELEPHANT TIE that matched his large elephant coffee cup! Oh, the satisfaction in our young hearts—a green elephant tie!
With his glasses at the tip of his nose, he greeted us cheerfully, “Good morning, folks!” He was strange and unique and he brightened every day for us. He was the most dynamic teacher I had ever met.
I loved music, so I remember how excited I was when he said he was going to give us music lessons. But when he turned on the music, my classmates and I slowly turned our heads toward the sound of… Feter Paul and Mary singing “If I Had a Hammer”.
Snickers（窃笑）filled the room. If it wasn't rap or hip hop, we didn't recognize it. What were these people singing about? My classmates were not into this at all. But for me, a girl of 12, it was a discovery. An awakening.
Twenty years passed and now there are forty little eyes staring at my wild musical-note shirts as I greet them with a joyful, “Good morning, class!” I wonder if my students wait and wonder what crazy music clothes I will wear each day.
I glance at my 2015 Teacher of the Year Award, which I received for being a dynamic teacher And I smile to myself, wondering which child in front of me will carry this on－as I've carried on the legacy（遗产）of Mr. Miller.
One teacher, who dared to be different and open new worlds to kids like me, threw the significant stone into the pond of my life. I pray the ripples（涟漪）never end.
