Tonight's Poet Corner: Introspection
Sometimes, it's really nice to remember how much I've done as a teacher to help, support, encourage, and inspire the students I've worked with. This week perfectly affirmed all of it, even as I worried over whether my colleagues only saw the moments in which I goofed or doubted myself.
One student reminded me that I had helped her come out to her family - not by talking with them or anything, but simply by existing proudly as who I was, with no shame whatsoever.
I was told that many students from my previous teaching site were still frustrated and angry about m departure, feeling like I was one of the only teachers who taught them something worthwhile (and who shunned tests for the sake of projects that demonstrated the students' learning. Yep, pragmatism is part of my teaching pedagogy).
I've received post-it notes and letters thanking me for being the type of teacher who teaches things that matter and are interesting and fulfilling, as well as taking an occasionally disliked subject and making it relevant to a student's life.
To this day, even my most obnoxious students (whom I love with all my heart) will email me with some seriously personal stuff, with the line: "You're one of the only teachers I can trust with this."
And tonight, I went to the play-off football game between my former high school and my current high school. It was weird at first; I honestly wanted to root for both teams. But a few things happened that will stick with me:
1. My former students spoke with me and told me how much they missed me.
2. One of my current assistant principals informed me that he had "heard good things" about my work at my new site thus far, which made me feel good and want to try even harder to be a good teacher.
3. I got to show my previous administrators how happy and fulfilled I was at my new site.
That last one may sound petty at first, but I more wanted to share it because I think it's important that, regardless of negative experiences, you can show others how strong you are and how far you've come. Because I am so content with where I am now, and where I'm working, and who my colleagues are, and how awesome and diverse my students are. And if some fellow teachers don't have faith in me yet...they will. Especially when they see how much heart and soul I put into my teaching.
It is for the students. It has always been for the students. Not for my ego. Not for personal success. Not to make a point. I do this for them.
And that's what matters.
Have a great night and a great weekend, everyone.
One student reminded me that I had helped her come out to her family - not by talking with them or anything, but simply by existing proudly as who I was, with no shame whatsoever.
I was told that many students from my previous teaching site were still frustrated and angry about m departure, feeling like I was one of the only teachers who taught them something worthwhile (and who shunned tests for the sake of projects that demonstrated the students' learning. Yep, pragmatism is part of my teaching pedagogy).
I've received post-it notes and letters thanking me for being the type of teacher who teaches things that matter and are interesting and fulfilling, as well as taking an occasionally disliked subject and making it relevant to a student's life.
To this day, even my most obnoxious students (whom I love with all my heart) will email me with some seriously personal stuff, with the line: "You're one of the only teachers I can trust with this."
And tonight, I went to the play-off football game between my former high school and my current high school. It was weird at first; I honestly wanted to root for both teams. But a few things happened that will stick with me:
1. My former students spoke with me and told me how much they missed me.
2. One of my current assistant principals informed me that he had "heard good things" about my work at my new site thus far, which made me feel good and want to try even harder to be a good teacher.
3. I got to show my previous administrators how happy and fulfilled I was at my new site.
That last one may sound petty at first, but I more wanted to share it because I think it's important that, regardless of negative experiences, you can show others how strong you are and how far you've come. Because I am so content with where I am now, and where I'm working, and who my colleagues are, and how awesome and diverse my students are. And if some fellow teachers don't have faith in me yet...they will. Especially when they see how much heart and soul I put into my teaching.
It is for the students. It has always been for the students. Not for my ego. Not for personal success. Not to make a point. I do this for them.
And that's what matters.
Have a great night and a great weekend, everyone.
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