As fast as life moves these days, it’s important to slow down and thank those who have changed our lives.

Along with our parents, family members and closest friends, we cannot forget to thank the teachers who did their part to shape who we’ve become.

For me, there are several teachers who had a great impact on my life.

In grade school, it was Sheryl Valentine. Mrs. Valentine was my teacher for first and eighth grade.

Along with teaching first and eighth grades, Mrs. Valentine also directed several plays and musicals on the gymnasium stage.

Regardless of the grade, stage or lesson plan, she taught us all the importance of laughter.

Her love of laughter was infectious and stuck with every member of my class as we graduated from grade school and headed out into a larger world.

In high school, it was Jeff Arndt. Mr. Arndt started as a substitute teacher at the school while my class was there, and we had him numerous times in place of regular teachers.

The thing I remember most about his classes, where how he challenged people to get out of their comfort zones and actually live.

He told us how after graduated from college, he spent his first year taking small jobs around the South. He hadn’t taken these jobs because nothing else was available to him; he took these jobs because he wanted to see the country and meet all kinds of people.

The idea of living in different places across the country stuck with me, and I’m glad to say that to this point I have already lived in Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

In college, I learned the basics of photojournalism from Ken Heinen. At that time, Ken had taught at the school for several years after a life’s work behind the lens.

Ken’s lesson to our class was to love what you do in life.

Like many of my peers, it was during Ken’s class that I knew I belonged behind the camera.

Through their lessons of laughter, life experiences and love, these three teachers truly shaped my life.

The funny thing is, teachers do that every day.

Everyone of us, if we sat down and thought about it, can think of a teacher or two who inspired us later in life.

Unfortunately, as we grow up, many of us don’t take the time to thank our teachers for all their hard work. I know I’m one of them.

So, to all the teachers reading this, thank you. Thank you for all that you do you educate, discipline and inspire your students.

Jay Sowers is photo editor of Gulf Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at jay@gulfcoastmedia.com.