"To Teach Is to Touch a Life Forever"
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." -Albert Einstein
So far, so good. It's been five school days and almost as many "snow" days to begin my first real world j-o-b. I run around the school like a little duckling, trying to find my way around while carrying my map and my schedule. Similar to the first day of high school, except that the other kids around me are much younger than I. Teaching has been my passion for more years than I can remember. It is with sincere thanks that I offer to Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer for really and truly inspiring me throughout years of my own education, through my own schooling.
I remember sixth grade fondly. It was undoubtedly the most fun I've ever had in school. After a tough fifth grade teacher, I was thrilled to see that I had Mrs. Lockwood the following year. I had class with some of my closest friends that I met a few years prior, and the memories of us together are still so vivid in my jam-packed and often cluttered mind. The little things- such as choosing to stay inside during outdoor recess just to "hang out" with our teacher- not only gave me a reason to love school, but also provided me individual building blocks that I collected over the years to create my own opinion and thoughts about teaching. Learning about language arts from someone as inspiring and as simply loving as Mrs. Lockwood is where I was able to realize what it meant to want to follow in someone's foot steps. I had a desire to treat people the way that she treated not just me, but all of my classmates as well. Our "Cerebellum Celebration" was in fact one of my favorite school memories. Not only did I learn a new, impressive, vocabulary word, but I was able to wear my pajamas to school, bring in treats for the class, and read about the human brain and other science related topics under desks and blankets in school all day. What a brilliant idea! These fond memories and activities that have stuck with me twelve years down the road after constantly filling my brain with useful and useless information is quite telling. Many things about elementary school have been forgotten and have been taken over by more recent news and wisdom. But my memories of sixth grade and of Mrs. Lockwood will stay with me throughout my days as a teacher. Twelve years ago I decided I wanted to be an English teacher. My passion was reinforced a few years later when I reached high school. Mr. Schaefer was first and foremost my cross-country coach. I had a slight enjoyment in running long distances, but even more fun spending time with teammates and cheering on my fellow "candy-canes." Mr. Schaefer provided a safe haven under that tree every day at 2:20. The seniors on the team during my freshman year provided a little comfort in the classrooms of such an intimidating new school. Those smiles that I caught in the mess of the crowded hallways from my teammates added strength to my adjusting schedule at the high school. Mr. Schaefer made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me work hard towards something that I wanted. He taught me to never give up, but also to take a break and not be too hard on yourself if times are a little difficult. Through my parent's divorce, Mr. Schaefer provided me a father-figure that I had lost faith in so easily. He gave me my strength and happiness back. "Schaefdog," as we liked to call him, was also an English teacher, but I had to wait two years to be in his class since he only taught upperclassmen. Finally, junior year I was lucky enough to get into his journalism class. This was a class that I loved because of my passion for writing as well as my passion for learning from my role model.
Both Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer awakened joy in creative expression and an uncountable amount of knowledge within me. I am forever grateful for both of them, for their strong and contagious passion for teaching, for language arts, and for changing lives of their students. Finding role models these days can be confusing with all the media in the world. Finding genuine, good-hearted people seems also rare, but until I grow old I will look to Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer as my true inspirations.
Now, as I recap my first five days as a paraprofessional and eventual teacher, I use them as a constant reminder as to why this is what I chose to do- why I wake up early every day and have a smile on my face as I walk through the front door. I think my niche for teaching comes naturally, but is very strongly reinforced by the constant reminders of my two, special role models and inspirations. Teaching, so I've learned, can in fact be very discouraging at times, and extremely frustrating. It is with great patience and a strong attitude that I am able to remain calm through times of turmoil. I keep flying, keeping my head high above the trees until I land in my next safe spot. There are always people watching me and guiding me, providing support along the way. As I watch and work with many students I realize what makes it so rewarding. To see those light bulbs going off above their heads is what makes the work and endless efforts worthwhile. I realize I am following my dream at the same time and can only hope that I will soon be able to inspire my students for years to come the way that Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer have infinitely inspired me.
So far, so good. It's been five school days and almost as many "snow" days to begin my first real world j-o-b. I run around the school like a little duckling, trying to find my way around while carrying my map and my schedule. Similar to the first day of high school, except that the other kids around me are much younger than I. Teaching has been my passion for more years than I can remember. It is with sincere thanks that I offer to Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer for really and truly inspiring me throughout years of my own education, through my own schooling.
I remember sixth grade fondly. It was undoubtedly the most fun I've ever had in school. After a tough fifth grade teacher, I was thrilled to see that I had Mrs. Lockwood the following year. I had class with some of my closest friends that I met a few years prior, and the memories of us together are still so vivid in my jam-packed and often cluttered mind. The little things- such as choosing to stay inside during outdoor recess just to "hang out" with our teacher- not only gave me a reason to love school, but also provided me individual building blocks that I collected over the years to create my own opinion and thoughts about teaching. Learning about language arts from someone as inspiring and as simply loving as Mrs. Lockwood is where I was able to realize what it meant to want to follow in someone's foot steps. I had a desire to treat people the way that she treated not just me, but all of my classmates as well. Our "Cerebellum Celebration" was in fact one of my favorite school memories. Not only did I learn a new, impressive, vocabulary word, but I was able to wear my pajamas to school, bring in treats for the class, and read about the human brain and other science related topics under desks and blankets in school all day. What a brilliant idea! These fond memories and activities that have stuck with me twelve years down the road after constantly filling my brain with useful and useless information is quite telling. Many things about elementary school have been forgotten and have been taken over by more recent news and wisdom. But my memories of sixth grade and of Mrs. Lockwood will stay with me throughout my days as a teacher. Twelve years ago I decided I wanted to be an English teacher. My passion was reinforced a few years later when I reached high school. Mr. Schaefer was first and foremost my cross-country coach. I had a slight enjoyment in running long distances, but even more fun spending time with teammates and cheering on my fellow "candy-canes." Mr. Schaefer provided a safe haven under that tree every day at 2:20. The seniors on the team during my freshman year provided a little comfort in the classrooms of such an intimidating new school. Those smiles that I caught in the mess of the crowded hallways from my teammates added strength to my adjusting schedule at the high school. Mr. Schaefer made me laugh, he made me cry, he made me work hard towards something that I wanted. He taught me to never give up, but also to take a break and not be too hard on yourself if times are a little difficult. Through my parent's divorce, Mr. Schaefer provided me a father-figure that I had lost faith in so easily. He gave me my strength and happiness back. "Schaefdog," as we liked to call him, was also an English teacher, but I had to wait two years to be in his class since he only taught upperclassmen. Finally, junior year I was lucky enough to get into his journalism class. This was a class that I loved because of my passion for writing as well as my passion for learning from my role model.
Both Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer awakened joy in creative expression and an uncountable amount of knowledge within me. I am forever grateful for both of them, for their strong and contagious passion for teaching, for language arts, and for changing lives of their students. Finding role models these days can be confusing with all the media in the world. Finding genuine, good-hearted people seems also rare, but until I grow old I will look to Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer as my true inspirations.
Now, as I recap my first five days as a paraprofessional and eventual teacher, I use them as a constant reminder as to why this is what I chose to do- why I wake up early every day and have a smile on my face as I walk through the front door. I think my niche for teaching comes naturally, but is very strongly reinforced by the constant reminders of my two, special role models and inspirations. Teaching, so I've learned, can in fact be very discouraging at times, and extremely frustrating. It is with great patience and a strong attitude that I am able to remain calm through times of turmoil. I keep flying, keeping my head high above the trees until I land in my next safe spot. There are always people watching me and guiding me, providing support along the way. As I watch and work with many students I realize what makes it so rewarding. To see those light bulbs going off above their heads is what makes the work and endless efforts worthwhile. I realize I am following my dream at the same time and can only hope that I will soon be able to inspire my students for years to come the way that Mrs. Lockwood and Mr. Schaefer have infinitely inspired me.
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