Joy Lawson Davis - Teachers Make a Difference

The speaker reflects on three influential women in her life: Mrs. Thomas, her second-grade teacher, who set high expectations and made students feel special; her mother, who instilled a love for reading and supported her throughout life; and Joyce Van Tassel-Baska, a mentor during her graduate studies, who encouraged her to pursue gifted education and provided critical feedback. These women played pivotal roles in shaping her personal and professional growth.

What was one of the key qualities of Mrs. Thomas that made her stand out to the narrator?

• Her strict discipline

• Her high expectations for students

• Her ability to sing

• Her humorous nature

How did the narrator's mother contribute to her love for reading?

• By buying her many books

• By reading stories to her daily

• By taking her to the library every week

• By enrolling her in a reading club

What activity did the narrator and her mother do together that helped develop her artistic skills?

• Singing songs

• Painting landscapes

• Drawing pictures

• Sculpting clay

What role did Joyce Van Tassel-Baska play in the narrator's academic journey?

• She was a fellow student

• She was a critical examiner and mentor

• She was a financial sponsor

• She was a family friend

What was the new program at the University that Joyce encouraged the narrator to join?

• A program in creative writing

• A program in environmental science

• A program in gifted education

• A program in business management

How did Joyce Van Tassel-Baska help the narrator improve her academic work?

• By critically examining and judging her work

• By writing her assignments

• By offering emotional support

• By providing financial aid

What was the narrator's status when she decided to pursue graduate studies?

• A high school teacher

• A retired professional

• A full-time mom and worker

• A part-time student