You have most likely encountered at least one of these days in the world of education. Days of frustration in which you questioned your career path, feeling exhausted to the point you believed you could not return. Yet, something churned within you: a small fire you had nearly forgotten. You found your way back to school, your classroom, your career, with every piece of gumption inside of you, and you remembered what inspired your career decision long ago: your passion for educating young minds.
You are a chosen one. In your early years of learning, there was an educator who impacted your thinking, your self-confidence, and your soul. You may not have realized the significance this individual played in your life until you became an adult, or an educator, but along the path you experienced a teacher who cared about who you were, and believed immensely in your capability. It was that individual who helped shape who you are today, whose compassion continues to give you strength on the most intense days, grounds your thinking, and unknowingly picks you up and dusts you off so you can continue on in your journey.
Nearly all of you reading this are embracing memories of the person that inspired you, yet none of those persons probably know their impact upon you. Have you considered sharing what you gained as a result of their teaching? Does this individual know the inspiration he or she was to you?
Well, it is nearing summer, and though school is almost out, I have a homework assignment for you: reach out to the educator you remembered today. Find a way to let this individual know how much he or she is appreciated, and what you treasure about his or her efforts. Write a letter, send an email, make a phone call, or go visit this person and thank him or her for choosing you to become an educator.
However you communicate your thanks, praise the individual for helping you choose a career path in education; for helping you out of your tailspin; for making the frustrating days seem briefer; for giving you the energy to return to your classroom; for lessening the feelings of uneasiness and frustration on difficult days. For day after day, frustrating as your days as an educator might be, you continue to pick yourself up, and return to your classroom, and for your passion and perseverance, someone, somewhere deserves a “thank you.”
Enjoy your time for learning, growing, and expanding your talents this summer, but don’t forget about your homework assignment. It’s due August 15, 2009.
