Dear Future-Teacher-Me,
Today you woke up and realized something: you're a ''real'' adult now. With a ''real'' job.
. . . And you're going to impact R E A L lives.
The kids aren't always going to listen to you, they won't always get perfect grades, and they certainly will not always be simple. But it is going to be worth it -- because they will grow, and you'll grow along with them.
It's scary, being the one in charge. You are going to have to be a leader and learn to stand up for what you want your classroom to look like. The way you impact your students on the first day is critical -- they need to know that even though you are soft-spoken (and almost as tall as many of them) that you still intend to be listened to.
Classroom management and attitude is oh-so-important. My students need to know that I am on their side. They need to know the classroom is a safe place; a place where everyone (including me) shares one common goal: to improve & truly learn. I want to be on their side. I want to encourage them not only in their academics but in their social and mental skills.
This is a big task to take on, but remember you have been trained for this! You have read all the books and observed all the schools - now it's your turn. Practice what you preach, woman. You've worked & studied & prayed for this. You can do it.
You know it will be a learning process, and you need to always remember that, especially on your worst days. There will always be some days that are better than others; days where you wish you had a simple desk job instead of a crazy, stressful, frustrating, saddening, teaching position. But that's what you get when you work with precious little human souls, you get real life. You get it handed to you every day, tied with a little pink bow. Real life is all those things previously mentioned, but it is also rewarding, amazing, heartwarming, and full of innocence. It's a constantly changing tide, and you're going to have to learn to roll with the waves.
But it will all be worth it, you'll see. Now go put on that pretty teacher dress you bought months ago while planning for this day. Feel confident. And smart. And able.
Go out and t e a c h.
Lauren,
ReplyDeleteI like how you compare working an easy desk job, with the "real life" rewards that come with teaching. True that!!
Lauren, I LOVE your motivation to be "on your students' side." It reminded me of Mike Rose and his emphasis on the relational aspects of teaching in "Why School?"--much so in fact, that I dug out my book and found these lines:
ReplyDelete"There is little talk of the power of teaching, of this remarkable kind of human relationship, honored in all cultures. In our time, teaching is acknowledged as important but is often defined as a knowledge-delivery system. Yet teaching carries with the obligation to understand the people in one's charge, to teach subject matter and skills, but also to inquire, to nurture, to have a sense of who a student is."
It's not too shabby to have your words remind someone of Mike Rose's. I bet you're really going to shine--and help your students shine--in your classroom
- Cindy
I love love love that you want to be on your students' side! They don't even know it yet, but they are so so lucky to have someone like you rooting for them, and not making sure they're "perfect," but making sure they know their worth and feel safe and cared for. That's so important, and I'm so excited for you to be such an amazing teacher for your students!
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