Positively Powerstories – Episode 18 – Positively Powerstories

Celebrating Educators and Students

#PositivelyPowerstories – September 22, 2020 – Episode 18

Powerstories Theatre stages true stories to open minds and hearts and inspire action worldwide.

Each week we will share 8 submissions or more from our neighbors around the city, country, and globe. Please enjoy all the stories that bring a smile to our faces and joy to our hearts. To send us your own story, click the button to complete our form, and upload your own work.

After you’ve finished, please click take the survey at the bottom of this page to let us know your favorites.

Submit Your Own Story Here.

Story & Video Submitted By Brooke Manolis

Teaching during the COVID-19 era has been a challenge, to say the least. My district has been all virtual since August 17 with plans to return to an in-person/virtual hybrid on October 19. As a teacher, it’s hard not to feel undervalued as people decide your fate with little thought as to how it might affect us. However, I truly miss the interaction with my students in person. Their sweet comments over google meet, asking how my day has been or making jokes, reminds me why I love this job. I love THEM. I am for THEM. Come hell or high water, I’ll teach them however I can and pray that they know they are cared for even over a screen.

Griffin, GA

Story submitted by Herma White

I was finally attending the college of my dreams. The first day of class was awesome. This morning my Spanish professor strutted into the classroom like an African queen. She was slim, trim and energetic, elegantly dressed and beautiful with a deep, dark chocolate complexion, neat haircut and perfect white teeth. She was a PhD already and didn’t look a day over 25. I was amazed!! When she spoke it was with ease, grace and perfect diction. She projected her voice with joy, enthusiasm and complete confidence. I could hardly wait to get to class each week. The two semesters in her class were the happiest of my college days. I never forgot her joyous spirit and magnificent, regal carriage. I wanted to be just like her. I am proud to speak her name: Eva Boseman.

Tampa, FL

Video Submitted By Amy Jackson

Tampa, FL

Story Submitted by Vicki Bills

I was born to be a teacher. As a young child, I would put my stuffed animals in a row and teach them with a pencil in my hand. When my younger brother was able to sit, I put him in the class too. My older brother went to school. He had homework. He could […]

Tampa, FL

Video by Founder Fran Powers

Tampa, FL

Black Chalkboard Name Scribble A4 Print(1)

Video Submitted By Manny Maestre

Miami, FL

Story submitted by Christina Terranova

Madame Verdal was my third and fourth grade teacher. She was just. Honest. Strict also, but she knew how to inspire and motivate the class. The little note book each of us had on our desk kept the secret of what she would give us when we did good. At times, I swear, it was like a real competition. We’d all wonder who’d win, who had the most points. Because she was a great teacher, I’d always end up in the first three in class. I don’t think I would have been able to do it without her guidance. Unlike Mom, she was strong, physically and mentally. She looked like a tree whose branches would not break, even through the biggest storm.

Tampa, FL

Story submitted by Vicki Peters

I taught Biology at Leto High School in Tampa in the early 80’s. (My students are in their 50’s now!) Most of the tenth graders were eager to learn with aspirations of their own, others were motivated by their parents’ demands and did what was necessary to maintain that C average, and a few sadly did not want to be there at all. But, it never failed—there was one project each year that seemed to get everyone on board and enthusiastic. The directions were simple: Make a flip chart of the human organ system of your choice. The skeletal, circulatory and digestive were always the most popular. I gave them time in class to work on it with a two-week deadline. I was always so excited to see the final products! It brought out the creativity, originality, and resourcefulness of each student. Some had meticulously drawn sketches while others used construction paper, chalk, paint, beads, felt, and various other art materials to create their organ systems. One student even rolled up a ball of twine 30 feet to represent the length of the human digestive system. When completed, each student shared their project with the others in class. It was most rewarding to see their hard work and accomplishments and I think they enjoyed hearing praise from their fellow classmates. I loved teaching Biology and I am grateful to still be in contact with many of my students to this day!

Tampa, FL

Story submitted by Cheryl Flowers

Who would know that the kindness on a stranger would affect the way I would treat others the rest of my life? By the time I was six years old I had already lived in two different states and two other countries. I had no friends’ or playmates other than my three brothers and baby sister. I would watch the children play after school wanting to be included but not being asked to join in. One day after school a neighbor girl who had befriended me gave me an invitation to her birthday party. My first my opportunity to be included! I was so happy. I remember walking to her house with my present in hand, then going inside and seeing the table with the cake and all the presents, just like on TV. At the end of the party a gift was given to all the girls in attendance, an apron with our initial sewn in red. It was my first gift from someone outside of my family. I felt accepted. All this from a woman I didn’t know.