I take this part of my job very seriously, remembering my teacher mentor and the wonderful way she inspired me.
She's retired now, but still continues to mentor student teachers inspiring them with her knowledge, her leadership skills, and her love of children.
As I think of her, I wonder If I am doing the same for those college students who walk through my door. There are many, freshman and sophomores who are there to just observe, juniors who are given lessons to teach, and finally seniors who this week are responsible for taking over the classroom.
I think I've been able to teach them some classroom organization, how to read a good story with expression, plan a lesson or two, hopefully a little bit of classroom management (which in kindergarten can be a bit like herding chipmunks) and how to switch gears on the fly. I hope I've taught them how to roll with the punches, work really hard and tirelessly, and how to be patient even when it's really really difficult.
It's the inspiration that I worry about.
I think of the conversations we often have at lunch time in the teacher's room. It's the place where we vent our frustrations over administrative policies, reading and math programs we may or may not like, how exhausted we all are, how sometimes children and parents can get the best of us. We vent about how hard we work and how little we are paid for our efforts. There are days when I'm pretty sure we aren't very inspiring at all.
I know I can do better.
What I really want those future teachers to know is how much I love my job. How being a teacher really is the best job in the world. That even though the paycheck isn't a big one, I love going to school each and everyday. That even when I've had a bad day, and yes bad days will happen, I can't wait to get there the following day and try again, how lucky I am to be working with some of the best teachers in the world, and...
how very great it feels knowing that I am making a difference in the lives of children.
Now that's inspiration.
4 comments:
When my twin sons started Kindergarten, I almost thought there was nothing for them to learn because they knew a lot of math and could read. I was afraid if they would be bored and not want to go back to school. But I was wrong! They are learning every single day something that helps them enjoy their lives better than ever. I didn't blame them when they mentioned that they were thankful for their school and for their teacher on thanksgiving night, because I know that they should.
I am pretty sure that the student teachers in your class can easily see the way that you feel about your job and are already inspired by that. I think that they are very lucky to be in your class and see all the joy that a good teacher can have just being with children.
We've shared many ideas, experiences, frustrations,
tears, laughs, joy, and you even "shared" your son with
me! Over the past couple of years I have often begun
to thnk...'what's this all about?" and been discouraged
and yes, even let down. Yet, like yourself, when I walk
into my classroom, I realize that I'd miss teaching so
much if I ever allowed all else to cloud each day!
Hi Lisa!
I just wanted you to know that I love reading your blog and I've tagged you with a Versatile Blogger award. Check it out at http://kateswish.blogspot.com/
I too would feel hesitant to "vent" in front of student teachers, but what you said is true: it is a hard job, and frustration must be heard and let out! How else would we cope? How else will a student teacher cope without talking to others about all she is learning? The question is how can you vent in front of student teachers "appropriately"? I don't know and would probably say the wrong thing, but it can be done with some finesse that I know many of the teachers at HMLS have!
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