Remember Why You Are Here…

drteach:

Today, in the field of education it is easy to get caught up in the hub-bub of negativity that surrounds the schools and educators within them.  It appears that the profession, which should be held of the highest esteem, is constantly questioned by outsiders debating the worth of the schooling experience and the credentials of the educators that fill our nation’s classrooms.  Right now it can seem like a daunting time to enter or stay in the field of education, but I ask you to think of why you originally entered the profession.  None of us were oblivious to the fact that we would be underpaid, overworked, or viewed by all in the greater community. In fact, we knew going into this role that this was most likely going to happen. 

In knowing, reflecting, and thinking on that, why become an educator at all?

I ask you all to remember why you are here…  Every educator enters the profession knowing the negatives and downfalls that can present themselves in this field and yet we still enter.  Why?  Each one of us believed, and still believe, I hope, that we can make a difference in the lives of children.  That we will make a difference in their future.  That we can change the path of a child’s learning and promote life-long learners.  It is all of these reasons that brought us into education and it is these reasons why we still remain. 

I’m here to tell you that the reasons that brought you into this career are not far-sighted… you can and do make a difference, impact the future, and change paths of childrens’ lives and learning.  Keep these thoughts with you on those rough days, when it feels overwhelming and remember what it feels like:

• to see students enter your building or classroom with smiles.
• when a student finally understands a difficult concept.
• every time you teach something and students express excitement.
• the sadness you feel at the end of the year to lose a class that you formed relationships with.
• the joy you feel at meeting a new class; knowing what you all can become by the end of the year.
• when a student shares something personal because he/she trusts you.
• after many years, a student returning and sharing the impact you made on their life.
• the night before the first day, every year, when you can’t fall asleep because of your enthusiasm.
• when you connect with a student who others have a hard time connecting with.

This list could go on and on, but the premise remains clear.  Teaching has so many joys and we must remember those and remember why we are here because it is our passion for the students that makes everything worth while!

I needed this today.  My EDU classes this term are just so tangential and disheartening and only very very tenuously connected to education that I was thinking of taking the summer off.  I can’t lose sight of the why because a couple of classes (professors, really, the content isn’t so bad) are just awful.  I’m not perusing this degree to learn how to do x or master one specific strategy that I probably won’t use because of literature to the contrary.  I’m perusing this degree because I had the above feelings from the moment I entered the classroom.

Riddle me this, though: How does a person who ridicules and demeans his students to the point that they (not me) consider dropping out get to be a professor?  How does he get to stay a professor?

(via angrylittledad)