We seem to go through life, day after day, not necessarily noticing how many lives we touch. As a classroom teacher for approximately twenty years I never really calculated how many students came in and out of my classroom. I can't help but wonder what type of impact I had, or could have had on their lives.
However, I have recently found myself in a wonderful situation. After twenty years as a classroom teacher and a special education coordinator I became a high school administrator. I originally began teaching in upstate New York, but relocated to Palm Beach County, Florida in 1993. To this day I still remember a very special class I had in my first job in Boca Raton, Florida. I knew then that those students were very special to me, but exactly how special I was yet to find out.
Ten years have passed since that day in 1993. Occasionally I will run into a few of the students, or receive an email or two updating me on their lives. However, just last week I was called to the office of my school because there was a visitor there who had been trying to track me down. As I walked to the counter I quickly recalled the name of a young student I had in my class ten years ago. I look much different now then I did then (actually much better), my name had changed too, but this student and I had a connection! We spent some time together talking that afternoon. Most importantly, she wanted to tell me that I made a difference in her life! She reminded me of all the help I gave her, the support, a sense of caring, and even her first job as a babysitter to my two young children. Well, today my children are sixteen and nineteen. This "old" student is twenty-eight and has a young son of her own.
I was lucky. I knew when I was five years old that I wanted to be a teacher. But, boy, I never knew until much later how I touched a life! Remember, something you do or say today could make a difference in someone's life tomorrow!
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5 comments:
Jeanette,
How profound! You know, it is examples like this that substantiate why we are educators; if you make the difference in one child's life, you have effected change for a lifetime!
You know hindsight is 20/20 as they say, but to know that as an educator you have been blessed with the opportunity to mold the minds of tomorrow is truly astonishing. Granted, I am early on in my career (12+ years), but as I reflect on my experiences, I too believe that education is my calling - I love working with kids and witnessing first-hand their growth from to adolescence to young adulthood.
As educators, we must always remember why we became educators. Every day is not going to be peaches and cream, however, it is the dedication, resiliency and love for doing what is best for kids that keeps you going.
We are creating tomorrow's future today.
Thanks for sharing.
Stephanie
Stephanie,
Thank you for your kind comments. However, I'm sure with over twelve years of experience you have some great stories to share as well. I would love to hear one!
Thanks,
Jeanette
Hi Dr. J,
I remember reading years ago, “A great teacher is like a candle, it consumes itself to light the way for other.” I’ve been a teacher for 17 years and I have enjoyed my profession every moment of those years. This is not to say that in some occasions I have felt frustrated and sad. This happens when I see student’s apathy, their rudeness towards others and not having any plans or hope for their future.
Teaching is so much more than just providing information to the students and showing them how to use the information. Real teachers have, among many other things, a genuine interest in students, they listen, they council, they see them as individuals. The line that goes, “Those who can do and those who can’t, teach” bothered me from the very first time I heard it. But one day I read the whole story. It goes like this…
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his Best option in life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach." To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest what do you make?"
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness eplied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental... You want to know what I make?"
She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table. "I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them criticize. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them to write and then I make them write. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
Bonnie paused one last time and then continued ... "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE! What do you make?" THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT! "Teachers make every other profession possible."
Michelle, a Teacher!
Jeanette,
I just love your blog. Yes teachers make a difference in a child's life and I only wish each teacher know how much. I remember my fifth grade teacher, Mr. Trelease who gave me extra books to read about the Civil War and how much I enjoyed the books. I remember Mr. Belford, Math teacher in high school who told me what a wonderful Math student I was...I remember my band director who taught me how to play the saxophone as a freshman in high school because I wanted to join the band. These teachers made a difference in my life because they took a special interest in me.
After high school, I became a teacher because I did not know what else to do except one day I met a teacher named Dr. Tim Sullivan who turned me on to special education. I found my niche with children who I absolutely love and they make me look forward to coming to work every day. I always get excited when I see a new child who may be severely disabled but I know that my teachers can work miracles with these children. When a child does not talk one day, three weeks later my teachers can get the child talking...when a child can't do so many things, my teachers are patient and determined and work very hard to do whatever they can because they believe like me that they make a difference. Jeanette your post made me thank God the day I became a teacher. I also really enjoyed Mama Owen's story about the CEO. I am proud of the response the teacher gave to him. Great blog, Jeanette. from the other Jeanette
Jeanette,
This message is especially dear to me. I am the mother of all sons. My first teaching job however, was that of a teen-age parenting class, of all girls. Though I never mothered a biological daughter, I mothered many, nonetheless. What an experience...one that I am reminded of everyday. Although this was over 20 years ago, the residuals of those times are still manifesting today.
One of the biggest reminders is from one of my girls whose family is now very active in our church. Her greatest reward, having had a baby at sixteen, was to have an eighteen-year-old daughter who is still a virgin...due to teachings that we share in a virginity and abstinence class at church. As the young woman, now 35, passionately says, "You are still teaching". "I thank God everyday for putting you in my life, especially at the time that He did". "You are like a mother to me". "I am what I am, because of your teaching and love for us". These are but a few of her remarks, Well I say to myself and to others, "to God be the Glory" for causing me to make that type of impression on the lives of not only that one young lady, but to the countless others who are still a part of my life even today!
There is so much more that I can say, but I must keep it short. However, one final thing that I must comment on is when you said, “Remember- something you do or say today could make a difference in someone’s life tomorrow”. This statement is more powerful than some may take it to be. Children are genuine, and they can tell when someone actually cares about them. Just a little love and attention could make all the difference in the in the World. If we can remember to treat everyone the way we want to be treated, or the way we would want someone to treat our children, we might be a bit more careful with our interactions. The main thing is this, if people love what they do, being the best, and giving all, is not a hard thing to do. Doing what you love to do is not a job, but a pleasure!
I really enjoyed your post!
From Annette to Jeanette!
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