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| English Teaching Super Heroes at Boone High! |
The good news? I truly don't mind. I like being 46-years-old. It fits me.
And more good news: I still really love teaching. I was reminded of that today.
During my prep period, a student stopped in "just to talk." Now, those teachers out there may understand this: sometimes such "pop-ins" make teachers cringe. It's not that we don't enjoy our students; we just have so much work to complete in that 40 minute prep, we cherish every second. However, I put my selfish thoughts aside and relaxed. Reina wished to see how my year was and to share her junior year so far.
And then she started talking about how much she loves to write.
"You know what I love, Mrs. Olson? A clean, white sheet of paper and a new, sharp pencil. Those things are simply the best."
And now I am so glad I sat and listened.
I listened to her explain how she carries a notebook with her wherever she goes, recording little seeds that may become big stories later. I listened to her describe her love of a coming of age tale.."No fantasy stories for me," she explains. And I listened to her dreams of publishing her stories some day.
My oldest sister always said, "Find meaningful work and you will have a meaningful life."
Yes, in year twenty-one I still love teaching, for I find it incredibly meaningful. In what other career can one listen to a young person's dream? It is such a privilege. And maybe...just maybe... we teachers may play a small role as we watch our students achieve. That is amazing
So, welcome 2012-2013. Here we go!
First of all, great photo! There is a backstory here, yes?
ReplyDeleteSecond, I'm in the same boat as you - 46 and "a seasoned veteran" that needs to own it. Someone pointed out to me that I'm the senior member in both the LA and the Performing Arts Department. And how does it feel when the principal, when making a point, asks you as "a veteran member of the faculty" to comment on a particular issue? Someone thinks I have wisdom. (Well, that's my interpretation and I'm sticking to it.)
Finally, I don't know about you, but teaching w/out the stress of taking classes feels so good! I have time to really teach and incorporate those things I struggled to do for the past two years because of the time crunch.
Party on, Mon Frere!
First of all, yes...there is a backstory to the photo. It was Homecoming and I told them that I honored a retired English teacher, and beloved mentor, by dressing as an English Teaching Super Hero. This involved a t-shirt with an ironed-on picture of her, a utility belt with a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird and red correcting pens, and some sexy running tights. My Boone group loved the idea and this is our version for Homecoming 2011. Secondly, oh yeah...no graduate work is a whole new world for me. Lovin' it. Yet, I still find plenty of work to do :)
DeleteIsn't it wonderful when they show such glimmers of hope! Makes the year of stressful days & all the headaches completely worth it! No matter the age or year in teaching you (and Bill) are both very young at heart! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to present at ITEC.
DeleteLove love love my cohorts!
ReplyDeletei wanted to thank you for deciding to help me with the GSA in the highschool on that subject i keep sending u emails and idt ur getting them
ReplyDeleteIt always helps when a teacher is there for a student. Especially when they may not have anyone else to talk to, even if it is something as small as how they are doing in school or how their summer went. Listening is the key to communication and understanding which is why it is so important. It's nice that you showed interest in what she had to say. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome to have teachers still around like that to just sit and be yourself around. There's not many out there. It puts a whole other definition between the student and teacher communication. It makes it that the teacher is no longer the students teacher. It's the students friend. Someone that you can talk to just to get things off your chest! && I bet it takes a lot of effort to stay teaching for that long.(:
ReplyDelete