debster913
Well-known member
Hi, all--
Thought I'd share this article from our school newspaper. Guess who was this month's "teacher feature?"
This article was written by a very lovely, talented young school journalist...
?A Heart to Teach?
Surviving a total of eight surgeries and procedures, Debra N. still stands tall as an English teacher.
?It?s really not that hard,? N. said. ?I am high strung and I?m crazy, so it makes my life interesting, and I have a very supportive husband.?
Having valvular heart disease and an abnormal heart rhythm since birth never slowed Mrs. N down.
She ran track in high school and has been teaching for nine years.
?I really had no limitations because of my condition, I ran in track,? N said. ?The only time I felt limited by my valve disease was when I was sixteen. I ran for a year and when the second season came, my cardiologist said I had to quit. The stress on my heart was making the valve worse and basically I could have the valve replaced then or later.?
According to Mrs. N, giving up running was a very heartbreaking decision, but it gave her a few years before she needed surgery.
It was not until April 2006 that surgery became necessary.
?During lunch one day I was helping student with their research papers. I felt short of breath, like an elephant was sitting on me,? Mrs. N said.
She was taken away from school in an ambulance and had to have surgery in June that year.
Though her heart disease is stressful and frightening, Mrs. N is very open about her condition to students.
?I?ll be wearing a heart monitor and I just explain what it?s for,? Mrs. N said. ?It makes me more relatable, I?m not just an authority figure, I am a real person, and I have real problems.?
Having a positive attitude toward her condition, Mrs. N hopes to inspire those affected by heart disease to live a fulfilling life.
?Wearing a heart monitor is a pain. I have to wear it everywhere I go, but it is part of who I am.? Mrs. N said. ?I can still have a functional, normal life. If I can inspire anyone, that?s what I want. I don?t want pity.?
Mrs. N is an active volunteer for many organizations, including the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (both of her parents died from pancreatic cancer at a young age), as well as the American Heart Association.
?I am helping organize the Orange County Heart Walk. I was a model in the local Go Red for Women campaign where I was one of the survivor models and showcased a red dress.?
Despite going through so much over her lifetime, especially the last three years, Mrs. N still takes time to enjoy her life and teach.
?I like English II Honors,? Mrs. N said. ?I really like the subject matter and I love assigning one-pagers.?
Thought I'd share this article from our school newspaper. Guess who was this month's "teacher feature?"
This article was written by a very lovely, talented young school journalist...
?A Heart to Teach?
Surviving a total of eight surgeries and procedures, Debra N. still stands tall as an English teacher.
?It?s really not that hard,? N. said. ?I am high strung and I?m crazy, so it makes my life interesting, and I have a very supportive husband.?
Having valvular heart disease and an abnormal heart rhythm since birth never slowed Mrs. N down.
She ran track in high school and has been teaching for nine years.
?I really had no limitations because of my condition, I ran in track,? N said. ?The only time I felt limited by my valve disease was when I was sixteen. I ran for a year and when the second season came, my cardiologist said I had to quit. The stress on my heart was making the valve worse and basically I could have the valve replaced then or later.?
According to Mrs. N, giving up running was a very heartbreaking decision, but it gave her a few years before she needed surgery.
It was not until April 2006 that surgery became necessary.
?During lunch one day I was helping student with their research papers. I felt short of breath, like an elephant was sitting on me,? Mrs. N said.
She was taken away from school in an ambulance and had to have surgery in June that year.
Though her heart disease is stressful and frightening, Mrs. N is very open about her condition to students.
?I?ll be wearing a heart monitor and I just explain what it?s for,? Mrs. N said. ?It makes me more relatable, I?m not just an authority figure, I am a real person, and I have real problems.?
Having a positive attitude toward her condition, Mrs. N hopes to inspire those affected by heart disease to live a fulfilling life.
?Wearing a heart monitor is a pain. I have to wear it everywhere I go, but it is part of who I am.? Mrs. N said. ?I can still have a functional, normal life. If I can inspire anyone, that?s what I want. I don?t want pity.?
Mrs. N is an active volunteer for many organizations, including the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (both of her parents died from pancreatic cancer at a young age), as well as the American Heart Association.
?I am helping organize the Orange County Heart Walk. I was a model in the local Go Red for Women campaign where I was one of the survivor models and showcased a red dress.?
Despite going through so much over her lifetime, especially the last three years, Mrs. N still takes time to enjoy her life and teach.
?I like English II Honors,? Mrs. N said. ?I really like the subject matter and I love assigning one-pagers.?
