I say proudly that I am the son of two career teachers. My mother worked 41 years in elementary schools, while my father taught middle school art and history in four different decades himself.

For that alone, he should have won a medal.

In 2004, my dad retired because of health reasons, somewhat unsure of the impact he had on countless adolescents who walked through the Texas City schools. But over the last three and half years of his life, which ended July 29, he was reminded of his employment legacy.

A student stopped by to say thanks as my father stood in the front yard. Another peeked into his hospital room and stayed to talk. Others mentioned his kindness, soft-spoken nature, and sense of humor.

Art was never far from his life, even when he taught history. Posters, models, and laminated pictures of various historic figures and people covered his classroom. One former student spoke of my dad’s unusual history lesson -- asking his classes to redesign the Texas and U.S. flags, using the elements of each, and then discussing their decisions.

If he were still working, my dad would have been a prime beneficiary of Texas City’s “Foundation for the Future,” which provides grants to deserving teachers. We were pleased to designate the foundation (www.texascity.isd.tenet.edu) as the place to send memorials in his name.

School districts across the country rely on foundations and outside organizations to reward teachers who take the extra step. You can read about establishing a successful foundation of your own on our website or in our magazine’s pages. If it’s something you’re not doing, consider it for your district.

And consider the thousands of teachers out there, just like my parents, who need that pat on the back for a job well done.

Glenn Cook, Editor-in-Chief