I feel very fortunate to have found teaching as a profession.
After four years of college, I needed a break from formal studies, so I
figured I take a gap year or two before graduate school and the school I had
graduated from, losing a teacher right before the new school year began, gave
me the opportunity to teach and coach.
Honestly, taking the position was more a lark—a chance to earn some beer
money and scrimmage with varsity athletes. I had no prior teacher training or
experience beyond having been a camp counselor, and the only classroom teaching
method I knew was mimicking the teachers I had when I was a student. My only
assets were I liked working with kids and had an intuitive feel about what
middle school students needed to know and were interested in.
From the first few seconds of my first sixth grade English class, I knew teaching
was my destiny! I was happy, fulfilled, and--even with growing pains and
missteps—was pretty good at it.
But I consider myself even more fortunate that even after forty years in
schools, I remain as excited and gratified by being in a school as when I was a
naïve, inexperienced twenty-two year old. I’ve amassed a cavalcade of memories,
laughed way more than cried, been inspired by mentors, influenced many students,
and, most important to me, developed lasting relationships with colleagues.
For me, the article below accurately captures both the joys and
challenges of being a teacher, yet reminds me that for most of us the good
parts greatly outweigh the bad ones.
I’ve had the good fortune to work at schools with high morale, positive
culture, and strong trust and respect among school employees, yet Trinity
dwarfs the others in these areas. I am always thankful and never take for
granted what it means for me to be a part of Trinity’s community. The past
seven years have been the most enjoyable, meaningful, and impactful of my
career! (My wife keeps asking me if my honeymoon with Trinity has ended and I
always answer, “Not even close!”)
It’s my hope that all of you are as fulfilled as I am at Trinity! I am
thankful for all you do and your impact on our students, their parents, and one
another!
Enjoy Thanksgiving Break!
Joe
------
In choosing my career, I desired a field that I was
passionate about. I wanted to change the world.
I chose teaching: As a
teacher, you are not just a master facilitator of content knowledge. You are a
mentor, confidant, and friend to your students and colleagues. You are a
lifeline. I knew that with the amount of passion, dedication, and patience I
possessed, I was the right candidate for the job. I can't say the road hasn't
had its ups and downs but there are many components that helped me stay in the
profession. For every teacher it may look different. Here is a glimpse of why I
stay.
I Stay Because I Have Support: Many organizations and
people supported me as I grew into the teacher leader I am today, challenging
me to develop my own voice and expand my horizons. They have highlighted and
recognized my accomplishments which stimulated me to continue to soar as a
teacher. Colleagues and supervisors gave me the chance to lead inside and
outside of my classroom walls and school community. Many diverse professional
learning experiences allowed me to emerge from my comfort zone and try
something different for my students. This supportive community of educators
reassured me that I matter to the profession and to those who need me the most:
my students.
I Stay Because of the Spark: My classroom is my center
stage, and I understand the power that being in the classroom holds. The
curriculum and standards drive the work that I do in my classroom, but I am
willing to take risks to make learning fun and relevant to students. I bring
innovative ideas into my classroom so students will be challenged to achieve at
high levels. It is imperative to have autonomy in your classroom to create a
spark of learning for students. The sparks I create for and with my students
lend to authentic learning and those coveted "ah-ha" moments.
I Stay Because of My Colleagues: Over the years, I have
learned that it is important for me to surround myself with other educators who
want to advance in the profession for students and themselves. I call on these
educators to hear their suggestions or ideas and to challenge me. This
collaboration and collegiality builds a sense of community among professionals
that keeps them excited about learning and growing.
The profession comes with its trials and tribulations.
Everything does. But with a steady stream of support, a "practice what you
preach" mentality, a love for creating those "sparks" for kids,
and a network of collegiality, we can and will improve outcomes for students by
attracting and retaining educators into the profession that I so love. Hopefully,
they also are empowered to remain where they are needed most...in the
classroom.
No comments:
Post a Comment