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<p>Where does the time go, and why is it going so fast?</p><p>It has been 38 years since I graduated from Lake-Lehman High School and, while I know I am not a kid anymore (according to my knees and back, not my wife), it is really hard to believe that so much time has gone by.</p><p>A few weeks ago, I had an opportunity to speak at my alma mater and ask the teachers of the district to support this year&#8217;s United Way campaign. For me, it was a wonderful moment to step back in time. Although the high school has a new addition, much of the building hasn&#8217;t changed and, after all these years, it is still very familiar and welcoming to me.</p><p>Beyond the building, though, what really gave me a great feeling of nostalgia and a genuine sense of gratitude were the memorable thoughts of the coaches, teachers and principals I had so many years ago. Those adults were a significant influence in my life and I appreciate them even more today than I did nearly four decades ago.</p><p>Most of us, I would hope, can look back on our youth and point to a favorite teacher, coach, or another adult who, in addition to our parents, really impacted our lives. For me, while I can only remember some of my high school classes and subject material, I will never forget the relationships I had with adults who recognized whatever potential I might have had and pushed me to achieve. That is what good educators do.</p><p>At the United Way of Wyoming Valley, we believe education is one of the key building blocks to a better life and a pathway out of generational poverty.</p><p>Given the growth of poverty in the Wyoming Valley and all the changes in society over the past 38 years, the teaching profession is much harder today than it was when I was in school. If a child is confronted with poverty, hunger, homelessness, violence, substance abuse, or other significant problems in their home or family, the spelling quiz on Friday, the math test on Monday, or the English paper due on Thursday mean very little to the child who is fighting for survival every day.</p><p>The United Way is working to reduce the barriers to a good education. Over the past five years, we have developed a number of programs in partnership with school districts throughout the Wyoming Valley to address the effects of childhood poverty and improve the odds of success for children. Today, the United Way work has a presence in at least 25 local school buildings at the elementary, middle and high school levels. As a result, we spend a lot of time with administrators, teachers, school nurses and guidance counselors. These professionals truly care and recognize that a good education can be transformative.</p><p>Barbara Coloroso, a former teacher, a best-selling author, and an internationally known speaker once said, &#8220;If kids come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job easier. If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job even more important.&#8221;</p><p>The educators I know and those we work closely with at the United Way, embrace the importance of their work and understand the influence they can have on children. There&#8217;s good and bad in every profession, but most teachers I know, like many of those who taught me, want to make a difference in the lives of their students.</p><p>So as the new school year begins and before another year quickly passes, I would really like to thank all those educators who have influenced my life. I am grateful to them and I am grateful to all those who are currently teaching and trying to positively influence the children of our community. You are changing lives.</p><p>To all students, teachers, and administrators, have a wonderful school year!</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Bill Jones, president and CEO of the United Way of the Wyoming Valley will be one of the panelists at the 'Children in Poverty' discussion May 1 at Misericordia University in Dallas.</div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_5.1-Events-Children-in-Poverty.jpg</photo0><caption0>Bill Jones, president and CEO of the United Way of the Wyoming Valley will be one of the panelists at the 'Children in Poverty' discussion May 1 at Misericordia University in Dallas.</caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Bill Jones</p><p>Guest Columnist</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Bill Jones is President and CEO at United Way of Wyoming Valley. He can be reached at 829-6711 ext. 1230.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Their view: Recognizing the important work of teachers