Thanks, Mrs. Babcock!

Mrs. Babcock was my first grade teacher, and to this day, my mother still credits her with instilling in me a love for learning. We all have those teachers, tutors, professors who helped shaped us. Which teacher made the biggest impact on your education?

I bring all this up because today is National Teacher Day, a day to celebrate all the wonderful teachers who have made us more studious, better at sharing, and all-around kinder, smarter people.

I bet you've never thought of it before, but teachers walk the halls at Children's Medical Center, too. Teachers employed by Children's, as well as the Dallas Independent School District, work with patients who are "frequent fliers" and those who have to endure a lengthy hospital stay.

They tutor kids through chemo, create a classroom environment where patients can interact with one another, and help students get back to their home classrooms after a life-changing illness. They do some pretty amazing work, so today, we say thanks!

If you forgot to send your kiddo to school today with a shiny red apple for her teacher (if class hasn't been canceled due to the flu outbreak, that is!), don't fret. Many use this entire week to appreciate the good work teachers do. And really, don't they deserve at least a week?!