Secrets of Success for Teachers: Our Effect on Students

I live close to the town that I taught in for 28 years. Because of that proximity, I get to see many former students on a regular basis who are now established in their new lives. While grocery shopping two days ago I ran into two students - one a former math student who is now herself a teacher. She reminded me how much her class admired me and what an influence I had been on here. A wonderful visit.

Then I ran into a young man who had been in my home room and in my Strategies of Success class. I was glad to see him and asked him what he was doing. He said rather sheepishly that he was cutting lawns for a local college. He said he enjoyed it because it allowed him to be outdoors which he loved. I told him that I was happy for him and that not everyone has to go to college. I truly believe that and have always tried to make my students feel that there are many paths ahead of them and that college is only one.

He still felt badly about his choice...I'm not sure why. His girlfriend tried to pump him up so he'd feel better about himself. Did she think that somehow I was not proud of him for creating a life he enjoyed? Quite the contrary.

Is this one of the reasons that teachers create such bad memories for students? Do we make them feel less valuable because we push education and college at everyone? I probably do that less than most because I am a business owner as well as an educator and the very nature of my Strategies course is that we define our own success. Even this former student felt that from me...what is he feeling from everyone else?

I firmly believe we need to honor our students interest and talents even if they're not 'college material' what ever that truly means. Most of them are not educators...and we need them to be what's best for them.

Something to think about...I know I have since I saw him...