I lost a friend this week. Shirley Mumaugh was an amazing
woman. She was more than just a teacher to so many people, and she changed many,
many lives. Ms. Mumaugh never had any biological children, but she always
referred to her students as “her babies”. She looked after them and cared for
them as if they were her own, even after they no longer attended her classes.
Ms. Mumaugh loved teaching. More than that, she loved being
an educator. She believed in helping young people fulfill their potential, and
encouraged them to be the best they possibly could be. She had amazing insight
into hearts and minds of high school students and would often advocate for the
best interests of those in need, even if she didn’t have them in her class.
Shirley was unfailingly generous. If she perceived a need,
she would do what should could to fill it without question, and with the
greatest humility. She loved her community, and she supported and encouraged
any effort to make the world a better place to live in.
I think it’s impossible to have known Shirley and not have
been changed for the better by knowing her. I learned so much from her. She
taught me to appreciate art, even if it wasn’t really my taste. She taught me
that it’s ok to be a little different, because everybody is anyway. She helped
me to express myself in meaningful ways and to make my point clearly (though I
admit I’m still working on that). She encouraged me to dream big and chase big
dreams.
Goodbye SAM, you will be missed here by so many. You will not be forgotten by any who’ve met you, and all of us are
better people for having you in our lives.
