I am married to a lifelong educator.
From the time he graduated with his doctorate, he has spent his working life educating the teachers who teach our children.
He obtained funding for a Science Education Center to be built at USC Aiken.
The Center has grown from one employee to over 20 employees over the years but its mission has never changed – make science and math education hands-on and fun for teachers and students and give teachers the resources they need to be successful.
From there, he was named Dean of the School of Education at USC Aiken.
His days consist mainly of administrative duties but he still oversees the course loads and student teaching of many of our future teachers. With the budget cuts at the University, he also is teaching a full-time load of senior level classes.
He loves educators with a passion such as his.
Dr. Gene Sires had such passion.
He believed in his teachers and his students and in making education fun.
He knew that a good educator could make a difference in the life of a child and he proved that every day.
I was only blessed to have known Dr. Sires for one year, when I served as a reading mentor in Sally Taylor's GIFT program at Summerville Elementary last year.
But the rumors abound about this legend of a man: How he knew every child's name in the school by the 2nd week of school each year; how he shouted "Read, read, read" every chance he got because he knew what doors and opportunities that could open for his children; and the infamous petting zoo both at the school and at his home used as a reward for good readers.
I have talked to so many people this week who were touched in some way by Dr. Sires’ passion.
Whether they were students in his school or their children were, they all speak glowingly about how this one man made a difference in their lives.
And what more can any one person hope for in their lifetime but to have that said about them?
Dr. Sires’ life was cut short way too soon, but he accomplished so much in his 59 years.
Making a difference in the life of a child may not change the world, but it surely changes the world for that child.
Dr. Gene Sires knew that and his former students will remember that and pay it forward for many years to come.