The Night Before the First Day of School
This is my 15th “first day of school” as a teacher. I’m sure many veteran teachers think I should be used to it by now, but I’m not. I am excited and nervous for the first day and I’m still up at 2:00 a. m.
While we spent the day setting up a classroom, the night I spend alone – praying and preparing. I imagine I could go to sleep because I am so tired, but this is a ritual night for me. I reread many old stories I’ve heard about teaching and I try to renew my spirit for the new year. Patience is always something I strive to have, but often fall short of it. I’m thinking since this is “my year,” God may give me a couple of extra scoops of patience. I’m thanking Him in advance for an abundance of patience.
This morning, I will be meeting the most valuable possession of many families. I often tell the students that they are like a bar of gold to their families. I take my responsibility as a teacher seriously. Many people believe teaching is a profession that I choose, but I think “real teachers” believe that it’s a profession which choose them. I love teaching and watching a classroom of 30+ kids learn what I taught them. It’s powerful and very rewarding. I am lucky to get paid for doing something I love to do.
An interesting teacher story: What Do Teachers Make? by: Taylor Mali (thanks James)
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: ‘Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.’
He argued, ‘What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?’
To emphasize 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 replied, ‘You want to know what I make?
(She paused for a second, 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 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.
· Keyboarding isn’t everything.
· I make them read, read, read.
· I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator.
· 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, placing their hand over their heart to say the
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America .
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, with me knowing money isn’t everything, 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 Mr. CEO?’
His jaw dropped, he went silent.
Hugs,
marlene
Topics: Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
September 11th, 2009 at 2:35 am
I survived my first first day of school as a teacher a few weeks ago (we start early in the south!) and it was the best day of my whole life! I know every teacher is anxious on the first day and I love that. There is so much excitement in the air and teachers are filled with hope for what is to come.
I get my first paycheck as a teacher tomorrow, and you know what….it doesn’t even really matter how much it is. Teachers don’t do it for the money.
September 18th, 2009 at 4:39 am
Love this post! You know, the job of a teacher is one of the hardest ones out there. Kudos to all the teachers out there and hope you have a great year!
September 18th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Thanks for this beautiful article which made me think about my teachers; past and present.
October 26th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
What Teacher’s make is a good poem, but give credit to Taylor Mali!!!!! Remember Plagerism???