Once again excitement and uncertainty are in the air as area schools resume classes. Will old friends be back? What will teachers be like? Where will new rooms be found and what will new subject matter involve? As teachers prepare, an element that might not be top of mind is what impact their work will have on students’ lives and those with whom they come into contact decades later.

On April 14, 1866, a notable educator, Johanna Mansfield Sullivan, was born in Massachusetts to immigrants who had fled Ireland’s Great Famine. At age five Johanna suffered an eye infection that led to numerous unsuccessful surgeries, leaving her nearly blind in the years that followed. At age eight, her mother died and her father abandoned her younger brother, sister and herself. Sent to a rundown and overcrowded almshouse in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, in 1880, she pleaded with the State Inspector of Charities to admit her to The Perkins School for the Blind. As its valedictorian upon graduation from this school, Johanna spoke to her class saying, “Fellow-graduates: Duty bids us go forth into active life. Let us go cheerfully, hopefully, and earnestly, and set ourselves to find our special part. When we have found it, willingly and faithfully perform it; for every obstacle we overcome, every success we achieve tends to bring man closer to God and make life more as He would have it.”

Today, we know Johanna better as Anne Sullivan, educator and mentor to Helen Keller. As a result of Sullivan’s teaching efforts, Keller was able to overcome significant obstacles of blindness and deafness to become the author of 14 books and writer of numerous speeches and essays. Keller advocated for others with disabilities, labor rights and world peace as well as numerous other causes.

The story about Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan is well known. With special fondness, we each recall teachers who influenced and shaped who we became, whether in a formal educational process or as a mentor by example, sharing the essentials helpful to face life’s challenges and treat those around us with respect and compassion. Even as adults, educators, mentors, spiritual leaders and others continue to enhance our lives and those around us.

I often reflect on teachers who impacted my life. Miss Thomas taught science and art classes in fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Her infectious enthusiasm was passed along to students, focused on the satisfaction and gratification realized when transforming something ordinary into something special.

Mr. Tolle taught and conducted the high school orchestra. Near the end of the first day as a high school senior, a note came to my last hour class. It read, “Dennis, see Mr. Tolle in the orchestra room after school today.” He stood waiting when I arrived.

“Why weren’t you in orchestra today?” he wanted to know. When I told him a scheduling conflict with another class would prevent playing with the orchestra that year, he asked, “What class would that be?” He wasn’t happy to learn it was study hall. “Dennis, you are going to be sitting right over there tomorrow at half-past eleven,” he barked with obvious irritation. Turned out Mr. Tolle was clairvoyant. I was indeed located in the chair the next day.

Twenty years later I attempted to track down Mr. Tolle, hoping to thank him for what happened in 1967. An important element in my life would be missing had he not cared enough to do what he did that fall day. Unfortunately, I was not able to locate him.

As was true for Anne Sullivan’s work with Helen Keller, the fruits of education may not always become immediately evident. But teachers can rest assured the impact they provide is significant, appreciated by parents and remembered by students for decades. Learning to overcome life’s challenges brings potential for success and happiness — not only (as Sullivan said) “as He would have it,” but also as parents desire for their children.