My mom is a teacher, so I've heard and seen this quote forever in some form or fashion; but it wasn't until yesterday that I felt it. Generally, this means that to be a teacher, you are touching your students lives but yesterday, it was the student's who touched mine.
I graduate in less than six months and you better believe that petrifies me. Even scarier, in less than two months I'll be running a classroom during my student teaching. Luckily, yesterday put my mind at ease when I got to teach 9th graders for my first time ever.
I've been working towards my degree in Health Education for almost four years now. I knew I loved the material, I knew I loved the idea of teaching people, and I knew I loved the idea that I would get to play such a big part in young people's lives. Half the reason I want to teach is because I believe our youth are our future. They are who will carry on our world, and quite frankly, I believe they need people like me. By that I mean, not every child is as fortunate as I was. I was so lucky to grow up in a "Beaver Cleaver" household. My parents never missed a thing, they are the perfect example of love, and they put my needs before they even thought of theirs. I know not every child has that. Not every child has someone to pay attention enough to them to realize something is wrong much less take the time to ask them how they are doing or if they need to talk. I want to be that person for my students. The one who believes in them, and teaches them how to believe in themselves. The one safe place they can come to, even if it's only for an hour a day. You get the jist. So, back to my original thought... I knew I loved everything about the profession I was stepping into except if I loved actually teaching those kids I was getting a degree to teach. Yesterday, though... yesterday was it.
I have to do a field placement for my YOED class, the class that you take immediately before you student teach. I was dreading it... not the teaching part, just the idea in general. To say I was petrified would be an understatement. What would they ask me? Would they absolutely hate my guts? Was I even going to be good at this? What if I hated teaching that age? Everything went through my mind. But then, when the time actually came to teach, I was fine. I couldn't wait to get up there. Sure, I was a little nervous but it felt so natural... and these kids were so awesome. Let me break it down for you...
It was supposed to be a free day, kind of. They were given the option to work on this book assignment they had. I had watched the previous class and they were freely roaming the room, talking to each other, having a very laid back time... way different than any day that a lesson was being taught. So the class period I was supposed to teach knew this, and also knew they had a guest teacher coming in. I kind of assumed them to be dreading my teaching because it was taking away from their free day. The plan was for me to teach the first hour until they went to lunch then, when they came back (because it was a block day, which made it a way longer than an hour class) they were to take the little test they had and then work on their books. Well, I did my thing for an hour but didn't quite get to everything and they knew it, and then it was time to go so I thanked them and was ready to be on my way when a few students said, "Wait, you are going to come back after lunch aren't you?" I said, "Well, you all have to take a test and have some other things to do." They proceeded to say, "You can come back after our test and teach until next period!" At this point, all I could do was look at their teacher for guidance. She asked them, "Well, do you want her to come back?" and, in unison, they all said, "YEAH!" You know, it's one thing for the teacher to think/tell you that you did a good job, but to have a group of 14-15 year old kids want you to continue teaching them when they could be talking... wow. I'll never forget that moment. It was like God said, "Oh, you're doubtful... let's fix that." It was the highlight of my semester, and the thought of getting to do this for the rest of my life makes me so thankful for yet another blessing.
Talk about touching a life forever. I think that proves my quote exactly.
Until next time, peace and love always.
Chelsea :)
