Here in Arizona we're on day 5 of a teacher "walk-out" so it's made us contemplate teachers a lot more. They truly are a vital part of our society and we appreciate the difference they can make in the lives of our children. That's why today we're highlighting a teacher who was nick-named a "miracle-worker". Anne Sullivan was the private tutor and teacher to Helen Keller. It was her that broke through to Helen and helped her create a way to communicate and interpret the world around her. Having experienced blindness herself because of an eye disease as a child, she knew firsthand the difficulties it presented. Anne, orphaned at age 9, didn't receive education herself until she was 24 when she convinced a administrator who came to investigate the almshouse she lived in for signs of abuse and even cannibalism 😨 to send her to the Perkins school for the blind. There she struggled to fit in because of her poor upbringing but was a determined and hard working student. She was then recommended for the position at the Keller home to help teach Helen. Her inspired teaching techniques were the breakthrough Helen needed. She used Helen's interests to teach her vocabulary and within six months had taught her over 500 words, the multiplication tables and Braille. Anne remained dedicated to Helen for nearly 49 years. She was a remarkable teacher and impressive woman.