After parenting, a childs teacher is the most important person in their life and this makes teaching so important. When it is done effectively, children all over the world are able to become promising and productive citizens. I once had a doctor friend of mine laugh and poke fun of the teaching profession and I was quick to respond... someone had to teach you, didn't they? He paused, reflected and then responded with a simple and apoligetic yes.
I believe educators and people in general forget sometimes how much of an impact a teacher will truly have on the children they come in contact with throughout their career. Who else other than parents spend as much time guiding the learning of children? Effective teachers can motivate and inspire children to reach their potential even when they don't want to or feel that they can. Ineffective teachers can also impact a child just as much, but in a negative manner. Both types of teachers have an immediate impact on a child's perception of self, good or bad. Students will perform to the expectations of the teacher and great teachers know this. It is always such a joy to have students come back to me years later and tell me of the positive impact I had on their life... that is why I do what I do- for them.
Think back to the teachers that had an impact on your life. What was it that made them so important to you? Was it the subject that they taught? Maybe, but I can imagine that if you are like me that is not exactly what made them so special to you. I feel that it was what they inspired within you and me. It is this inspiration that he or she instilled that helped us look beyond the classroom and towards the outside world with a certain sense of curiosity to be taken on and learned from. Why? Because teaching is the most important job in the world. We knew that someone cared about our success even if that teacher never said it. Remember this as you enter your classrooms... Children will never care how much you know, until they know how much you care. 
9 comments:
Thanks for the post. It was one of "those" days but besides the feel good part it is so important to remember the role you play as an educator and how big a part of student lives' teachers play.
Another great post, Ed. And if people don't see teachers having an important and influential job, their child has not been in the classroom of a less-than-stellar teacher. As you stated, the positive impact of a great teacher is wonderful, but the negative impact of a poor teacher is even more detrimental. Thank you for bringing attention to this idea - unfortunately, it's not one that society always remembers.
Thanks Ed for your post. When I go to open my door each morning to greet the bright eyed 5 yr olds clamoring to get into the classroom, I am reminded of how powerful my words, actions and even body language can be. You are absolutely right that kids need to know you care in order to give you the necessary attention to learn. Relationship is critical in teaching and I think that sometimes this factor is under-emphasized in teacher credential programs. Without a safe environment to take risks and take on challenges, students may not bloom into their best selves. Thanks so much for the post! I think teaching is enormously challenging but definitely the best job in the world.
Ed,
Great post on a very important topic. I appreciate that you pointed out both the positive and negative affects a teacher could have on his/her students - something that I will take with me and share with my colleagues. Thanks for the excellent blog, looking forward to your next post.
Awesome blog. Yes, I do agree that teaching is one of the most important jobs in life. Our profession gives us the privilege to touch the future and it is an awesome responsibility that we should take very seriously.
Bty, that was a great comeback for your doctor. I bet he won't be making fun of our profession again. As a popular bumper sticker states: "If you can read this, thank a teacher".
Thanks for sharing.
Very positive post! Too often, teachers get busy with the job and lose sight of this.
~PrincipalJ
Great post. I fund education projects in public and private schools. I find that few schools really validate teachers and treat them as the professionals they are. The system wants to make teaching into a standardized "science" when in fact, it is an art. The two concepts conflict. Great post!
In "the Book of Learning and Forgetting" Frank Smith argues we learn from the company we keep. I think we tend to remember who are teachers were much more than what they taught in terms of subject. These people helped us become who we are. All the more reason to make sure the very best people go into teaching.
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