Another tribute to teachers

Another tribute to teachers

EDITOR

This is in response to a letter written several weeks ago by John Burgan. Two of my three children were lucky enough to have Mrs. Burgan as a teacher. I can truly testify that she made an impression on them during their years at Lynn Kirk Elementary School. Jackie was always very caring and concerned about my children. She spent extra time with us at conferences to make sure all our questions were answered and made us feel our child was important.

When Jackie taught second grade, my son, Brad, was in her class. He was so excited after the first day because he told us they had a bathtub in his class. A bit confused about this announcement I began questioning him, but found this was true. This bathtub was filled with pillows where students could relax with their favorite book during reading time.Reading was not one of Brad’s favorite subjects, and this was a unique way to entice him to do so. At our second conference time Jackie was a little concerned because by this time in the school year she said she almost knew what each one of her students was thinking, except for Brad. He was very quiet and she worked hard to encourage him to share his feelings as his classmates did. By the end of the school year, Jackie had succeeded and that is a tribute to her compassion as an excellent teacher.

My daughter Bonnie was lucky enough to have Mrs. Burgan as her teacher in the Reading Center. Bonnie struggled with her reading comprehension and Mrs. Burgan always encouraged her so that she would experience success. One of the rewards that Mrs. Burgan gave at the end of the year was lunch at McDonalds. You can only imagine how excited the students were to receive such a treat from their teacher. Not only did she take them to McDonalds, she took them there in her convertible with the top down. Bonnie will graduate from Youngstown State next Spring with her bachelors in elementary education. I wonder who influenced her decision to become a teacher?

There are many dedicated, excellent, and caring teachers that have helped each and everyone of us throughout our days as students. Mrs. Burgan is one of those teachers who has molded and touched children in a positive and loving way. Jackie Burgan and her fellow teachers will always have a special place in our hearts.

BARBARA GONDA

Austintown

What about here and now?

EDITOR:

With the arrival of Sen. John McCain in Ohio, I am sure we will be repeatedly reminded of his military service and resultant captivity some 40 years ago.

His ads tells us how he stood up for his country and his fellow soldiers, but the old question of “what have you done for us lately” comes to mind when one considers McCain’s record on health and safety for our modern era veterans.

For 22 years I have introduced, pushed and reminded my colleagues that Universal Healthcare is the only weapon we have for economic recovery and competitiveness in the world market. Supporting Universal Healthcare is a debatable issue, but supporting our troops is not.

McCain has repeatedly and callously voted against military veterans’ basic healthcare, veterans’ hospitals, mental health services, outpatient care, readjustment counseling, and basic healthcare for our Gulf War era National Guard and Reserves. Those are the facts. That is the truth.

He has simply told our brave men and women who have served under dangerous circumstances and on behalf of a questionable cause, that their suffering and welfare don’t count for much when he makes the decisions in the Senate.

Is McCain a friend of our military veterans? Certainly not.

Sen. John McCain’s visit to our state is another disingenuous stick in our eye as he tries again to fool us.

State Rep. BOB HAGAN, D-60th

Youngstown