Satisfaction

   Once and a while something comes along that reinforces why you become an educator. What I would like a kid to know when he leaves is not just the subject but also to understand the importance of education and hard work. I have a student that is all talk. He loves to give excuses on why he cannot do the work, or why he should not have to. Recently his attitude has started to change. The thought of college has begun to creep into his head, and that panic that sets in for some about what the future after high school brings has begun. He has started to grow up. Today he was late to class, but when he got there, without any prodding from me, he began to do his work. While his friends talked, he kept on doing what he was suppose to. This one small step means a lot to a teacher. It is also something that is pretty unique to the profession. I cannot say that my time in the corporate world gave me any satisfaction greater than what it means to know that you are making a difference. People change, they mature, but it is a teacher's job to help to mold them into someone that can be a productive member of society. For this kid, who is pretty smart, he has a chance to do something good with his life. His getting down to work shows me that he is capable, which I already knew, but also that he is willing.

  Some of you reading this may not understand the beuty of a kid that has been trouble starting to get serious. I can honestly say that I did not understand until I started teaching either. The closest thing that I can say comes when dealing with a difficult client or coworker. You work with them, and try to get them to understand your point of view. When they do, if that ever happens, it is this beacon of light in your day. With kids this is a struggle every day. We have a serious motivational problem in public schools. Some kids view classes as filler time between working or partying. The hardest that that I have to do is to see a kid that is college capable throw themselves out of the running because they chose something else over education. Sometimes education of general education kids feel like a battle. We are moving our forces against those that would have them be satisfied with minimum effort. When we battle a kid every day, and have that kid start to fight for our side it is a great feeling. Education is a battle for one kid at a time. Sometimes when we get negative this small victory is all we need to pick us up.

Until Tomorrow,
"You teach best what you most need to learn." -- Richard David Bach