By Jack Westbrook

While working on my graduate degree, I took a course in business education at what is now Texas State University. It was a “fail-safe” class that would allow me to teach business to grades six through twelve. Little did I know when I signed up for that class that I would encounter the professor of “Character Driven Success;” Dr. Beverly Chiodo who is affectionately known as the “Doctor of Encouragement.” I learned the things I needed to know in Professor Chiodo’s class that I would need to know in order to pass the teaching exam for business, but I learned how to be grateful. More importantly, I learned how to be grateful for the successes of others as well.

Professor Chiodo taught us how to write a thank you note, and she also taught us how to write a congratulatory note when someone has a noteworthy achievement like graduating from high school, landing a new job or getting a promotion.

Jack Westbrook is an Amarillo retiree and was the Libertarian Party’s nominee for U.S. House District 13 in 2020.