M A Salute To Women In Education
feature story
Story As Told by She Magazine • Photographed by Milton Morris
Lamaris Eagleton
H
aving spent nearly forty years in front of a classroom,
Lamaris Eagleton shares that she herself was inspired
by a favorite teacher. “I attended Spaulding High
School in Lamar, South Carolina, where Dorothy B.
White was very inspirational. She possessed a passion for teaching
and a genuine, concerned spirit. She exhibited faith in me and my
ability to excel,” Mrs. Eagleton explains.
Lamaris’ first teaching experience actually began on her front
door steps, with her younger neighbors as her “students”. Her pas-
sion for teaching, therefore, took root at a very young age and con-
tinued to grow throughout her life. Her young students were, and
always have been, the benefactors of that passion.
After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Claflin
College, in Orangeburg, South Carolina, a Masters in Education, and
a Masters in Administration/Supervision from Winthrop College, in
Rock Hill, South Carolina, she began teaching in 1969 at Wilson High
School in Florence. Her first year was spent as an English instructor,
before she transferred to South Florence High School.
“My mom always encouraged me to excel, to reach for the stars,
and to strive for excellence, thus enabling me to realize that nothing
is impossible and no goal is unobtainable. Spiritual and divine guid-
ance have always directed my path,” Lamaris shares, citing this as
her “secret to success.”
As an educator, Lamaris admits that she “held high expecta-
tions for all students, challenging them to fulfill their greatest po-
tential.” Seemingly ahead of her time, Lamaris’ main objective was
to “connect, reach, and teach, regardless of levels and differences,
while incorporating a multiplicity of sources and resources (music,
skits, technology, dinners, etc.,) into the classroom experience. In-
teractive, engaging, and collaborative activities and ideas allowed
students the opportunity to learn from each other and share their
experiences.”
It is said that “Laughter is the best medicine.” With that in mind,
I can imagine that Mrs. Eagleton’s classes were filled with healthy
children, for her classroom often rang out with that glorious sound
of laughter. She is quick to say, “Where laughter is concerned, it
was a case of the teacher learning from her students. My students
enabled me to realize that laughter and humor in the classroom is
good medicine. Learning can be fun and exciting, yet stimulating
and gratifying at the same time. Most importantly, I learned that my
students had a genuine need for compassion and a need to know
that I truly cared about them as individuals, not just about teach-
ing,” she explains.
Self-described as “people-oriented”, Lamaris loves people in gen-
eral; therefore, interacting with students was a joy for her through-
out her teaching career. Continuing to explain how she learned from
her students along the way, she says, “My own views were broad-
ened and enlightened by sharing both good and challenging times
with them and by listening to them share their stories and personal
experiences. The creativity of their minds tremendously fascinated
me. Challenging them and encouraging them often produced amaz-
ing results. Sometimes, igniting that spark ma de them aware and
proud of their accomplishments. I sensed gratification when they re-
alized the power of their own minds, realizing the potential within.”
Beyond what her students taught Mrs. Eagleton, teaching had
other rewards. One such reward was having a front row seat to their
journey towards becoming the young men and women they were
destined to become. She was able to witness the maturing aspect
of their lives, as she puts it, “The journeys and paths that life has
allowed them to travel, valleys low and mountains high, as well as
the many experiences that enriched their lives and molded them into
productive, responsible, and successful adults.” Then, and even now,
the rewards continue. “Hearing them say, ‘Thank you for pushing
me and encouraging me,’ brings music to this teacher’s ears. Their
expressions of appreciation and gratitude make it all worth it.”
continued
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AUGUST 2017
SHEMAGAZINE.COM