It is time for school to be back in session. Across the country, students are returning to the classroom. St. Luke’s has been hard at work helping our students return. We have given out over 1000 backpacks, filled with supplies, and helped to supply students in our partner schools in Oklahoma City and in Edmond. It is truly a blessing to help students succeed.
One group of people who help students, each and every day, are our teachers. Teaching is a life-changing profession. Teachers pour their lives into their students. They give countless hours to making sure their students are successful, not only in education, but in life. I am glad St. Luke’s has been helping our teachers as they return to the class, as well.
Lori Anne Travers is a teacher in New Jersey. For the past six years, Lori Anne has been teaching kindergarten. She loves it! It has always been her dream to teach. Lori Ann also had the dream to perform on stage…maybe even Broadway. That is why it was so special when the cast of Disney’s Aladdin surprised Lori Anne with a big gift of gratitude. They wanted to tell teachers “Thank You” and the chose Lori Anne as their representative.
Lori Anne was being interviewed on camera by Good Morning America when the Genie from the Broadway production of Aladdin, played by Michael James Scott, came crashing into the room. He announced that he had a bigsurprise for Mrs. Travers. They quickly took her away to a car and told her that she would be making her Broadway debut. She would have one day to learn the part of the Fortune Teller. She would go through makeup, choreography, costuming and then she would perform. It was a dream come true for Lori Anne.
Lori Anne would do an amazing job with her Broadway Debut. She delivered her lines, just like she was a professional. At the end of the performance, the cast of Aladdin made sure the audience knew why Lori Anne was there. They wanted to share their appreciation of teachers in a special way.
As school begins, I want to encourage you to tell a teacher Thank You. Gratitude not only makes a difference in our lives but in the lives of those who receive our expressions of thanksgiving. When we are willing to go out of our way and let others know how thankful we are for who they are and what they do, we can truly brighten their day. A profession, like teaching, is challenging. Expressing our gratitude can help lighten the load and bring joy in difficult circumstances. Take time to say thank you. Your gratitude may just be a wish come true.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
