Few people have a greater impact on our lives than our moms. And not far behind them are the teachers we encounter throughout our educational journey.
And for those moms who double as teachers, or who continually stress the importance of education whether through their words or actions, their impact is practically immeasurable.
Members of the 1-800-Flowers.com community recently shared stories of their own mothers for whom school played a central role in their lives — whether as teachers themselves, parents who strongly encouraged their kids’ education, or adults who continued their own education while raising a family.
As many of us head back to school, we pay tribute to moms who showed us, through their example or their urging, the importance of excelling in the classroom.
“My mother raised my brother, sister, and I at home until we started attending school. She returned to school herself and earned her master’s degree at 40 years old and has now worked a 30-year career which took her to Antarctica, New Zealand, Chile, and all over the world. We're very proud of her!”
– Samantha
“Working as a math teacher to increase the confidence of girls in math. She loves to teach and inspire. She loves to laugh and help others be their best. She does all this while getting her own daughter to enter college and do well in school.”
– Richard
“I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for my mom. I am proud to say that I will graduate from high school and college this year, and it's all because my mom pushed me, encouraged me, and supported me to succeed in school. I want to continue to work hard to make her proud. I love her!”
– Diego
“This amazing mom taught school part time for 41 years with the attitude of a full-time teacher creating a great learning environment for her students. Just as she taught school well, she taught her own children to always do the best they can at what they do! She has been a great role model and mother!”
– Michael
“My mother is one of the most selfless people I know. From working with kids at school to helping with my own kids, she is always putting others ahead of herself.”
– Harry
“My mother is amazing because she has been an elementary school teacher for over 30 years. She is selfless and kind in the classroom, and in life.”
– Matthew
“One woman stands out in my life, and it's my daughter, Jill. She's a very dedicated NYC school teacher and mother to my two granddaughters. She hardly has any free time with her demanding schedule and fills even that up with Girl Scout and soccer volunteering.”
– Debra
“My mom is my hero! At the age of 54, she just graduated from college! I'm so proud of her for going back to school and getting her degree.”
– Nicole
“My mom is such a role model for me and my sister. She put herself through medical school and practiced for 35 years before retiring last year. She worked hard but always made time for us and gave us all the love and support we needed.”
– Nita
“My sweet, loving, and caring daughter is a mother to three, ages 7, 5, and 3. She homeschools and takes joy in tailoring [her kids'] studies to their interests, raising butterflies, ladybugs, and baby quail.”
– Laura
“My mom is amazing because she sacrificed everything ― including her sanity ― to send me to a private school. I'm very grateful to her.”
– Margo
“My 87-year-old mom has served her country, her city, and her family. She was in the Navy, she taught public school for 34 years (she influenced me to be a teacher), and because my dad was in the Navy and away for months at a time, she had to be both mom and dad to me.”
– Velma
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“My wife, and mother to four, has been an inspiration to us all. She works as a middle school teacher in an economically depressed area and gives everything she has ― financial, emotional, and physical support ― to her students and colleagues. She's exhausted when she gets home, but she always gives us her all.”
– Jon
“My military mother lost her husband, my father, while she was still in her 40s, but worked full time taking on extra jobs to put all her sons through school, all the while working as a teacher for 40 years. She always puts others before herself.”
– Greg
“What makes my mom great is that she was a mom that kept us on the straight and narrow, with lots of humor and love. As a former teacher, she knew how to motivate us to stay in line and work to please. And coming from a large family she had a great sense of humor and compassion.”
– Paul
“My mom is amazing. She's still working at almost 70 as a first-grade teacher. She has the patience of a saint.”
– Jamie
“My mom in heaven gave up so much for us. She left her home country of Cuba to give us freedom from communism and the best education possible. She worked hard to learn English and become an ESL teacher, and I followed in her footsteps to become one too. She taught me all my gardening skills and love for nature.”
– Iliana
“My mom retired after 25 years as a teacher. She volunteers for her community and church, and is always smiling. A Girl Scout leader, she supported her children to earn the Gold Award and Eagle Scout.”
– Vanessa
“My mom is amazing because she loves our family. She is a great teacher all day and then comes home to be the best mom ever. She reads to us at night and takes good care of us.”
– Melissa
“My mom was amazing raising us as a single mom and putting herself through college at the same time. Now, she is a teacher and not only is a role model but also an inspiration to all her students.”
– Patricia
“My mom has overcome every adversity that has come her way. She is a retired teacher, and her students, most of whom are adults now, stop her to this day to tell her the impact she had on their lives. She is my everything!”
– April
“My mom loves all her seven kids and has taught us to be caring and kind, and to look out for each other. She is a special education teacher, and cares for all her students and plays a mom role to them. She is also a foster mom and adoptive mom who has raised over 20 kids in our house.”
– Evelyn
“My mother ensured I received a quality education. She instilled in me a love of learning from a young age, reading to me every night before bed and encouraging me to ask questions and explore my interests.”
– Anthony
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