Who Is Your Hero?

Do you have a personal hero? Tell us about them. It doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Your Everyday Hero: Judy L.

My mother is a silent hero in our education community. She has been teaching for close to 30 years, most of which was spent in schools with struggling economic communities. Her passion in life has always been to teach children to read.

She demonstrates such dedication to her work, it's astounding. Since I was a little girl, I have never watched a video with my mom when she didn't spend the entire time cutting, coloring, pasting or cutting something for her class. If we were to count the hours she works preparing reading tools, activities and games, I'm sure she works more than any executive or CEO.

I've watched her teach children that are struggling to be fed at home to read, giving them hope for a different future. She's taught each of her grandchildren how to read because she is simply the best. She's moments away from retirement and I'm sure she's never stepped back to take a look at how many thousands of lives she's touched.

The world is a better place because of her quiet influence.

Story was submitted anonymously