I've called students by the wrong name. In the second semester.
I've lost projects that needed to be graded.
I've given assignments that flat out didn't work.
I've worn my shirt inside out and didn't notice until 6th period.
I've stared at a roomful of teenagers and could see that watching an episode of South of Sunset was more interesting than listening to me.
I've given A's when students didn't deserve it.
I've given F's when students did deserve it.
I've meant to praise more, but allowed paperwork, emails, and phone calls to overwhelm me.
I've allowed negativity to get the best of me some days.
I've written lesson plans and, for educational assistance, Googled objectives, before/during/after, and rubrics and still not understood what I wrote.
The list could go on and on...
In all of my failures, doubting myself, and wondering if I'm doing any good at all, I remember one thing a former journalism professor told me, "It's not about you."
That advice really fits for anything in life. Because, it really isn't about me. It's always about the students. It's why I choose to become a teacher.
When I turned 40, I suppose you could say that becoming a high school teacher was my midlife crisis. Although I was working in my dream job as managing editor of Longleaf Style magazine for The Anniston Star, I left to teach high school. Some celebrated and some pondered my mental status.
Well, I just finished my third year of teaching and I realize there are so many things I would have never learned in a newsroom. (No offense to my former co-workers as you may relate to a lot of these).
- I've learned how to awkwardly Dougie and to Nae Nae,
- I've learned that teenagers have dreams, but are sometimes scared to dream.
- I've learned teenagers may stare blankly at you, but they are listening. Sometimes, they just like to stare.
- I've learned that there are life lessons in everything. Literally. Just ask my students.
- I've learned that jumping jacks are a good thing when they are dragging. (Thank you Ron Clark for that validation.)
- I've learned that it's OK to eat lunch alone, but it's much better when you eat with a friend.
- I've learned to laugh at my mistakes. Because, honestly, most of the time the students are already laughing.
- I've learned to listen. I mean "Deer in the headlight" and "I'm not moving until you are finished talking" kind of listening. Sometimes, teenagers just need to be heard.
- I've learned that teenagers think they are the only ones who make mistakes and they need compassion, not condemnation.
- I've learned that F10 is your BFF when you allow students to choose the music.
- I've learned that when adults believe teenagers are all thinking about immoral and illicit things, some are really thinking about how they will eat that night or if the power will be on when they get home.
- I've learned that my "last nerve" is really longer than I thought.
- I've learned that choosing to be "too nice" is always better than the alternative.
- I've learned that my heart has multiplied. Because every time a student has graduated, a piece of my heart is released into the world. Every new student has filled that empty spot and the growth continues.
So, as I venture into my fourth year of teaching, the main thing I'm going to keep in mind is that, It's not about me. It's about them. I'm going to repeat it over and over and over....
 |
| Selfie with some of my students at the 2015 Alabama SkillsUSA competition in Birmingham, AL. We pretty much rocked. |
2017 Edit: I'm completing my fifth year of teaching and I could also add that saying goodbye to students is one of the most difficult encounters in the journey. However, learning about their adventures and moments of the transition from teen years to young adult is so rewarding.
Thanks for reading. Have a blessed day!
Theresa
