Dan and Aaron talked about Dan’s teaching, which Aaron says is “strict but fun.” Dan confessed that he tries to emulate the teaching style of his 3^rd grade teacher, Mrs. Lewis, who sang and danced in her classroom. Dan says that with Mrs. Lewis, “every day in the classroom felt like an educational Mardi Gras.”

Toward the end of their interview, Aaron told his former teacher of the difference his methods have made in his life. Aaron used to have trouble with reading and writing, but teachers like Dan have helped him make progress. Aaron recalled Saturdays spent in Dan’s classroom playing learning games, which have fueled his desire to become an engineer. Dan told Aaron that “caring and work make a great classroom.”

Aaron Wallace (L) with his fomer teacher, Dan Taylor (R).

Tom (L) and Jean Gaunt (R)

Tom and Jean Gaunt recorded a StoryCorps interview in Indianapolis, Indiana, in partnership with The New Teacher Project and Indianapolis Teaching Fellows. Jean shared that teaching had been a lifelong interest she put off while raising a family. At 55 years old, though, she realized that her experience raising their children and foster children was a crucial asset in her goal of becoming a teacher.

When Jean was accepted by ITF, she worried that she would not connect with her mostly African-American, special education students. However, during her first year year in the classroom, Jean quickly learned the power of playfulness on her students.

Jean remembered a groggy-eyed, seemingly troubled, young man who got off the school bus each morning she was on bus duty. “Good Morning, Mr. President!” she would call to him, perking him up with her brilliant smile. The greeting became habit, and the boy took pride in his new title. On occasion, Jean would be too occupied to notice the boy’s arrival, but he would quickly remind her that Mr. President had come to school. “Oh, sorry Mr. President! Good Morning!” she would reply.

For Tom, this was only one example of Jean’s infectious personality, the same charm that lovingly keeps him going during their many years of marriage. He and their children are so proud of Jean that they chip in to support her in the classroom too. Frequently, when Jean works late nights, the family brings her dinner and helps prepare Jean’s classroom for the next day.

Jean said she does not consider retirement because she finally found her calling. When that day comes, though, she and Tom intend to volunteer for the Peace Corps. Good morning, Ms. Gaunt!

Click here to learn more about Jean, Tom, and the Gaunt Family.

Most of our participants grew up on farms and are now working in offices for their respective states’ farm bureaus. They described their memories of farm life and how the sense of hard work and family is still with them today. One participant told me he’s never understood why some people can’t manage to get to work by 9am. “9am is the middle of the day!” he said. So it was no surprise that events started early at this conference, and that everyone was milling around well before 8am, having coffee, chatting about the day’s upcoming events.

At our presentation I met a few of the still-farmers attending the conference. One gentleman introduced himself, and with a thick Southern accent told me, “I’m a swine farmer.” “Wow, a swan farmer?” I said. He laughed, telling me that I wasn’t the first Northerner to miss-hear him. People used to think he was a poet when he told them he worked with “poultry.”

We were fortunate to have a few pairs of participants sign up for interviews on the spot after hearing our presentation. One of those pairs was LaTanya (LT) and Shellie, who have been working together in Washington, DC for a long time and are now best friends.

LT and Shellie were our only participants not from farming families, and their appreciation for the culture of Farm Bureau was incredibly touching. They both gave thanks for the support that Farm Bureau has offered. LT said, “I just feel as though they will always be my family, and I, their’s.”