Tuesday Thoughts!
Tuesday October 20, 2015
You are not merely here to make a living. You are here to enable
the world to live more amply, with greater vision, and with a finer spirit of
hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world. You impoverish yourself
if you forget this errand.
Woodrow Wilson
This week, a friend of mine forwarded a video presentation
displaying motivational quotations relating to our noble profession of teaching
and accompanied by musical selections. Of the forty-eight quotes included, I
think the one above most aptly sets the scene for the journey upon which we
have embarked. No teacher at our school entered this career path to become
wealthy, or because of the plush working conditions, or because of the generous
monetary bonuses, or even because they just wanted the chance to hang with cool
teachers like VanBrocklin and Trotter! Instead, each of us heeded this calling
because: (1) we wanted to make a difference and (2) we felt that we had the
capability to do so. As President Wilson suggests above, we are here to enrich
the world, if not our stock portfolios. We enrich the world each day that we
work to fulfill our school mission: re-engaging all learners at our school.
One way we teach, inspire, and motivate our kids and each
other is through storytelling. During the past few years together, many of us
have had the opportunity to exchange heartwarming stories of how something we
did at our school has had a positive and lasting impact upon one of our
students. Often, we were not even aware at the time that we had touched this
young man or woman. It is commonplace for our kids to accept our extra efforts
without so much as a thank you. Yet years later, that apparent ingrate returns
to thank us in what turns out to be a much more meaningful way, which lets us
know that we have, indeed, made a difference. Again this year, every teacher at
our school will lead with his or her personal vision. For many of us, that is
simply doing good work that people will remember. It may not seem as if anyone
will remember, but undoubtedly many will.
Many of you have mentioned that you consider teaching your
“calling”, not merely your job. Many of you will not see the rewards of your
daily toil on an immediate or frequent basis. Yet, in the end, you will grow
stronger through fulfilling Woodrow Wilson’s charge to enrich the world. Just
as importantly, so will your students—whether you or they notice it this year
or many years hence. Thank you for your passion, persistence, and performance.
I am awed to be able to bask in the glow of folks who Teach with Passion each
day. Take a moment and check out this clip by one of my favorite poets Taylor
Mali. I think it aptly and deftly describes each and every one of you.
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Miracle Worker by Taylor Mali
A tribute to one of the best speakers I've ever heard - Taylor
Mali Free online exercises, worksheets, whiteboard activities for Maths and
English. Stellar L...
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Have a Terrific Tuesday!
Monica
