As I sit here on Sunday evening reflecting on the lessons I've learned this week I find myself thinking of the question I have been asked more than any other over the past 20 years. "Why be a teacher/principal?" I could launch into some long professionally written essay of how it is my life's passion to work with children. But, that is not the truth. The truth is I was inspired by several important folks to serve my community, my state, and my country through service. I was inspired by great people to give back. I was inspired by my faith to serve those who are in need. And daily I am inspired by the lives which I touch to smile and offer an understanding ear when hearts are broken, children need a stabilizing force in their lives, and when a tough decision which puts students needs' first has to be made.
Yes, we spend our days at UTE analyzing data, creating lessons, engaging students through technology, communicating with parents, just to name a few. But, I do it all because I am inspired to serve. The Greatest Teacher in history remained humble as He served. So, with a humble heart I lead you who are servants to our community and continue to be inspired by you all each and every day. With the theme of inspiration and gratitude in mind, I am only going to leave a few notes and a link of a video I am asking you to watch.
Best Practices I've seen this week at UTE:
Student research turned into presentations about the presidents with Mrs. Becky.
Formative assessments with data analyzed to create the next day's lesson by Mrs Rayburn.
Students using a buzzer system to answer detail questions from storyline online with Mrs. Scott.
High levels of questioning, including critical analysis, by Mrs. Williams.
Please follow the link below to watch this 10 minute video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXDMoiEkyuQ
What inspired you to teach? What keeps you going? How do you express your gratitude?
I am humbled each day to serve families of our students and each of you. I hope my gratitude is evident in my actions, as I hope the families of UTE see our gratitude in our interactions with them and their children. Have a great week and I can't wait to see the great lessons that are in store for me!
Every child...Every day!!!
That video was very inspiring. We do need to learn to slow down and enjoy the gifts that each day brings. When thinking of what inspired me to teach I think of the quote, "A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...But the world may be a different because I was important in the life of a child." The children that walk into my classroom each day are what keep me going!!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, as a young college student the thoughts of summers off really appealed to me. Along with thoughts of "How hard can teaching be?" steered me into the profession. Now, 23 years later I know it is much, much more than summers off and an easy job. The inspiration that made me the passionate teacher I am today came from modeling from master teachers like Connie Hillman and Peggy Owens. Connie taught me to deliver the content in a way that would meet the needs of all learners. Peggy inspired me to treat each student with self-worth, respect, and build relationships with my students so that I would inspire them to learn lesson I needed to teach them. After I became a parent it was a desire to be the kind of teacher I would want Alex to have in the classroom. I try to model myself after those lessons learnted early, thank goodness in my career. When I need inspiration to carry on I simply need to look around. The teachers at Upper Tygart are the best examples of master teaching. I am proud to be a Tiger. I hope former students when thinking about me do so with a smile on their faces recalling lessons learned that prepared them for their next step in learning, and most importantly that I made them feel as sense of self-worth and that they were important to me.
ReplyDeleteThe video is an excellent way to start the day and look into the inner soul with love and thankfulness. I was inspired to teach by family teachers who made an adventure of the smallest tasks. What keeps me going is seeing results from the students I teach and watching them become confident,independent learners. I express my gratitude softly with a thankful heart.
ReplyDeleteI am inspired by the simple things in life, a walk along the lakeshore just as the fog is lifting. Hearing the laughter of my teenage children playing together like they did when they were little. The way my husband still stops and looks at me, like he is seeing me for the first time. Birds singing in the summer mornings as I drink my morning tea on the front porch, as if it was just for me.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for life, for every minute! I learned at a very early age how quickly life can be taken from us. My motto is if you don’t like what you are doing, then quit and find what makes you happy, because life is too short. At my father’s funeral a pastor read a poem called “The Dash”, it was about the dash between the birth year and death year on the headstone. It is the small, simple, dash that represents the full life and how you lived it. So I ask, What will your dash represent? Will it remind loved ones of how wonderfully full and rich you lived everyday or will it remind them of the times you wished for other things, and been afraid to try new adventures? I hope my dash brings a smile to everyones face as you remember that I was not afraid to take risk, that I dressed wacky, that I loved teaching, I loved my God, I loved my family, and I tried my best to show my love of life to others every single day.
The video had beuatiful scenes. I am inspired everyday by God's love. I think even on our worst day we can find God's beauty and his love for us if we try. When I am having a bad morning or hear someone complain about a bad morning I think of a song my mom use to sing in church. It asks the question about God proving he loves us. Did you wake up this morning? were you clothed and in your right mind? were you able to walk into your closet? When you wonder if you make a difference as a teacher you can ask yourself questions: did you make a child smile today? Did you give a smile to a child? Did you make a child feel important? Even on a bad day, we make a difference in the lives of children and that is important even if we sometimes forget it.
ReplyDeleteThe video was truly beautiful and a means to stop and think about what truly matters in this world of confusion. When asked why I became a teacher I sometimes really stop to think what is the right answer for this person. In my heart, I know it wasn't just one thing but, a combination of many. My grandmother was a teacher, my love of learning, inspiring/caring teachers, my aunt who took college classes as an adult, and most importantly my love of children. I love to see their accomplishments. I was so thrilled for our students on Saturday because in some way I knew that I had a small part in their success.
ReplyDeleteThe video was very inspiring and showed how we all need to step back and take a look at life. To answer the question why I became a teacher...I would have to say children themselves. I love to see the smile when a child knows they are important and can see their accomplishment no matter how small. The thought of being a person who can truly make a difference in a child's life...is rewarding in itself.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this video. I agree with Candy, we all need to take the time to look at our life; what we are doing now and where we are going. I could take forever and tell about all the events of my life, both good and bad, that occured to get me to the point of where I am today; however, I will just simply say that I am teaching today because it was God's plan. It took many roads and a few wrong turns, but I have never been happier that where I am right now. Teaching preschool is one of the joys of my life. I love watching my students as they progress and I love their innocent conversations...and at least once a day, someone tells me they love me!! I hope I am making a difference in the lives of these little people.
ReplyDeleteThe video was inspiring. It was another reminder of what a great God we have, to make all the wonderful things in life for us to enjoy. It was a reminder to me to be even more thankful. This video also reminded me of something I read. “ What if you woke up today and only have the things that you thanked God for yesterday.” Ever since I read that, I try to thank God everyday for all my blessings, big or little.
ReplyDeleteThe reason why I became a teacher was because I was inspired by a teacher who shared their passion for learning with me. The reason I am still teaching is because of the joy I feel when I see that love of learning sparkle in children, the “light bulb” moments, the smile that says, “I love you and I know you really do care”. There have been many times in my career that has been blood, sweat, and tears. But the joy of having a student that you had many years ago, come back and say, “You were the one who made a difference.” Priceless!!!!
The video was very enjoyable. I honestly realized that I really needed to be forced to stop and take the time to enjoy simplicity, to see simple beauty and appreciate what is really important. My mind is so clogged with the everyday "stuff" that we think is important, but it's not.... it's not. I think that I'm going to go back to what inspired me in the beginning.. and it was NOT the challenge to produce high test scores. It was the influence of what makes that smile appear, that voice flow with insight and new perspectives about what IS important to them from what they've been given the opportunity to learn and explore for themselves...May my students remember that I cared enough to see them and know them and teach them what they must have to see what is important and realize what it takes to become who they want to be.
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