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 occa