What's good about teaching? If you're reading this after an exhausting day at school, you probably can't think of one positive thing.
But there is so much to this extra-ordinary job.
Who else but a teacher (or a parent) gets to experience the pride and happiness I felt a few minutes ago as a former special needs student sat down next to me at the coffee shop that I chose to write in today? He had been a student in my Strategies of Success program when he was a sophomore. He came to class each day with an aide. He was an eager participant as I remember although he had his challenges. And here he was today sitting at my table, telling me he was a freshman in college now!
(He just stopped by again to ask me if I was staying for awhile as he was going home for a bit). I'm so proud of him! I would like to believe that my leadership class which was laden with strategies for creating a life helped him in some small way.
How many other careers leave you with the feeling I have right now?
The man who replaced me in the classroom after I left to share my program worked in the business field for ten years when he realized that he wasn't contributing to changing the world in some way. He's changing it big time now. He's made a name for himself at the high school in hearts of the students that are in his Strategies classes. And I'm proud of him too not only for the extraordinary job he's done following me in the classroom (kids told me that I was irreplaceable...where else do you hear that???). I'm proud of all he's achieved on another level. You see he too was my student...as a little eighth grader many years ago.
I'm lucky now that almost everywhere I go lately, a former student is waiting on me. From Sandi at the Honda dealership to Eliza at the chiropractor to Lauren at Dunkin Donuts, I'm surrounded by people who's lives I helped shape.
I know it often takes years for students to thank you for what you meant to them. Hang in there...you're doing one of the toughest jobs there is....and most of all, let me thank you now for all you do.
