To the family and friends of Martha Jane Sparks. Hello! This is Barbie Nelson, co-teacher of Martha Jane Sparks. For the past 8 years, I have had the privilege to work along side Mrs. Sparks at Northview High School. I made a new "best friend" the minute she walked through the classroom door. You see, our class is a group of special needs children and let me say, God sent us a special teacher in Mrs. Sparks. She was brilliant, spunky, loving and kind. Her favorite subject to teach was reading. Her writing and her drawings were so eloquent. The students loved her books she made for them. She really worked hard. She wanted everyone to know her students took challenges and turned them into opportunities. She made everyone feel important. One of her favorite phrases was, "don't let anyone take your joy from you." Her southern charm was real. She had pride and dignity in everything she did. She expected the best from her students and in their own special ways they gave it to her. In her 85 years of life, she touched countless lives. That is the legacy of a good friend and a great teacher. On Friday, April 25, 2015 we will celebrate her life at her memorial service. I can't begin to imagine the hundreds of people who will be there as they think of how Mrs. Sparks changed their lives. I think if you put all of these thoughts together in a book, that it would be the best book you have ever read. Perhaps even.....a best seller! Mrs. Sparks, I will miss you so much but I think "our" students will miss you the most. I know some people had you in their lives for much longer than me. But for my eight years, I want you to know that my life was changed. I saw the world through your eyes and it makes me want to be a better person. We will love you forever. Love, Barbie