Scotty Gives Love to His Favorite Professors During National Teachers Appreciation Week

Everybody has that one teacher who made a difference in their lives. That one teacher who made showing up to class worthwhile and made learning FUN, or that one instructor or coach who motivated and inspired you to chase your dreams.

For me, there were a pair of professors, both from Winona State’s Communication Studies department, that drove me to be the person that I am today. Shoot, I still get tears in my eyes just thinking about how grateful I am for having met them.

Both Dr. Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest and Dr. Amy Hermodson made my time at WSU all those things I just mentioned above. Every semester I did everything I could do score a seat in either of their classrooms because they made all their courses so engaging. They almost dared you not to become involved in the material because, in a way, they taught it in a way in which it was so much fun to learn.

Dr. Amy had me hooked the minute I stepped onto campus. She had the unfortunate luck in having me as a cocky 19-year-old in one of the many freshman orientation classes that first week. However, what I didn’t expect after walking into a half-filled classroom in the Performing Arts Building that day, was that I’d meet a professor that would not only change my outlook on learning, but also change my entire attitude on studying and school in general.

I wound up taking another pair of courses of hers down the road, and was so thankful I had the chance to learn all that I did from her.

Now, Dr. Rita was entirely different when it came to teaching, but I mean that with utmost respect. She always encouraged every person in her classes to participate and not to be afraid to ask “dumb” questions. Every class was an open forum where we could express ourselves freely, and I always loved that aspect of it and her.

But it wasn’t until I signed up for Introduction to Rhetoric that I truly knew what kind of teaching power she had. I was a junior and had NO IDEA what I’d signed up for that semester… I mean c’mon, who could possibly teach ME, rhetoric?! (And no, that wasn’t a rhetorical question.)

After scoring a D on my first test, I was pretty disappointed. But Dr. Rita pulled me aside and challenged me like no teacher ever has and said I could get an A in her class if I pushed myself hard enough. Of course, I initially laughed in her face… and yet there she sat, dead serious.  It was at that moment I realized that, yeah, I can do this. And I did! She gave me my A, and I still remember how much fun I had that semester.

Between Dr. Rita and Dr. Amy, they both taught me so much about myself as both a student and as a person.  They forever have my respect and gratitude for life, and it’s because of them that I became the man I am today.

So THANK YOU Dr. Rita, and THANK YOU Dr. Amy.  For everything.