Page 73 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2026 - Online Magazine

HONORING SENIORS

The Voices of Mentors

by Samuel J. Ayers, Ed. D.

e are bombarded by voices every schools where I served as principal and for
day. These voices come from many of the books I authored.
Wfamily, friends, acquaintances,
and strangers. We hear these voices in While in high school, I felt called to be a Inspiration
person and through our reading, radio, teacher. I credit two of my teachers for
television, and social media. developing this interest. Mrs. Thomsen was
my 6 grade social studies teacher, and Mrs.
th
Each of us has the opportunity to decide Maiden was my 8 grade history teacher. They
th
which voices will help shape us. We can invite made learning interesting, enjoyable, and
these voices to serve as our formal or informal engaging. Other formal mentors include:
mentors. They can influence the development
of our interests, our talents, our skills, and our • Dr. John Moore and Dr. Bruce Frazee,
choices. two of my education professors at
Trinity University, modeled and expected me
An important question to consider is what to plan and present engaging lessons, which I
voices are you listening to? Larry Brooks, still practice in my college classes.
pastor at Lubbock’s Community Baptist Church,
recently served as a chapel speaker at Lubbock • Dr. Thomas Sergiovanni and Dr.
Christian University. He said, “The voices we Ivan Fitzwater, Trinity University
listen to are critical. The voices we listen to professors, challenged me to reflect on
will define us.” They may also determine our teaching and leadership and how to improve
priorities. schools. They influenced the way I approached
being a school principal and currently serve
Thinking about the influence of others caused as director of the LCU Graduate School of
me to reflect on some of the specific mentors Education.
whose voices have modeled, guided, and
encouraged me in my own personal and • Dr. Gene Rooze, a Texas Tech
professional development. University professor, guided me through
the process of preparing a conference
My art interest began early as I watched my dad presentation. I began presenting at
sketch and doodle at meetings and while on professional conferences regularly as a result
phone calls. My other mentors include: of his guidance.

• Kit Mathis, my middle school art • Dr. Shirley Koehler, a Texas Tech University
teacher, introduced me to printmaking, professor, convinced me to write regularly
pottery, and collage. I still create art and and to make writing a priority. I began
a collage piece once a year. integrating daily writing with students at Ella
Iles elementary school and have written fifteen
• Paul Cross, an older friend during high books and numerous articles for professional
school, introduced me to sketchbooks. I started journals.
my first sketchbook in 2004, and I am now on
sketchbook #83. My spiritual formation is arguably the most
important aspect of my personal
• Cal Inmon, the high school yearbook development. My dad was and remains such
advisor, discussed photography and taught an important model for me in this area.
me layout. I ended up using photography and
layout for the yearbooks in college and the Other important influences include:

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