You Know You're a Teacher When
The many shades of teachers and what they do.34 total reviews
Comment from karenina
Thanks, first of all, for doing the toughest job I know. Parents sometimes do not appreciate the many ways a good teacher influences their children. My favorite teacher of all time was Mr. Kaplan. He was my 6th Grade teacher~ and instilled in me something I'd not considered up until then.
I was worthy. I was smart. I could thrive if I let go of my fears. When I was unsufferably horrible with multiplication he (oh so cleverly) pulled me aside and "enlisted" my support. Would I please forgo morning recess in order to tutor the three students in the class who were struggling with those "Times Tables?"
He hung the moon! Of course, I would help! It never occurred to me I was the neediest of tutoring. He turned it upside down and the confidence he instilled in me made me want to prove him right!
I visited him every year throughout my school years. I visited his grave when he passed.
I've never forgotten his magical ways. A teacher can pave the runway for an outstanding flight!
Loved this...
You are someone's north star!
Karenina
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thanks, first of all, for doing the toughest job I know. Parents sometimes do not appreciate the many ways a good teacher influences their children. My favorite teacher of all time was Mr. Kaplan. He was my 6th Grade teacher~ and instilled in me something I'd not considered up until then.
I was worthy. I was smart. I could thrive if I let go of my fears. When I was unsufferably horrible with multiplication he (oh so cleverly) pulled me aside and "enlisted" my support. Would I please forgo morning recess in order to tutor the three students in the class who were struggling with those "Times Tables?"
He hung the moon! Of course, I would help! It never occurred to me I was the neediest of tutoring. He turned it upside down and the confidence he instilled in me made me want to prove him right!
I visited him every year throughout my school years. I visited his grave when he passed.
I've never forgotten his magical ways. A teacher can pave the runway for an outstanding flight!
Loved this...
You are someone's north star!
Karenina
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it and your feedback. What an amazing teacher! Stories like that are so inspiring. For me, the most rewarding part of teaching is seeing those eyes, those struggling students, brighten and grow more confident in their learning and stronger in their skills. Whenever my kiddos (who I call "dragonflies") say they don't get it, I remind them they haven't gotten it *yet.* Learning is a process, and as someone who struggled *a lot* in school, I understand that feeling of failure and the urge to give up. I'm grateful Mr. Kaplan helped you the way he did. What an amazing man and teacher! Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
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Keep working your magic! Someday an old woman like me will be bragging about how you changed their life!
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Awwww, thank you for the compliment. :D :D
Comment from Faith Williams
This was an interesting post. My husband is a teacher though he's a life skills teacher at the high school level so his list would definitely be different. But #9 & #10 I believe are universal for teachers. He might add expectation of 'Miracle Worker' to that list depending on the parents. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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This was an interesting post. My husband is a teacher though he's a life skills teacher at the high school level so his list would definitely be different. But #9 & #10 I believe are universal for teachers. He might add expectation of 'Miracle Worker' to that list depending on the parents. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it and your feedback. Oh yes, my colleagues and I have had many discussions about those! :) That's awesome. Please tell your husband I agree, as I've seen that look/behavior in some of my parents, too. Teaching would be vastly different (and obsolete) if teachers possessed wands to wave and change their students instantly. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
Comment from nomi338
I will make my comment thusly. How you can show your teacher you appreciate her/him.
1. You use what they teach you to get there, and you never forget their help.
2. You try to teach your own children lessons you learned from them.
3. You always talk to them personally before judging them guilty of charges your child may make.
4. You emulate them by joining their ranks.
I could say so much more, but I will stop here. I may just post something similar to what you posted.
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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I will make my comment thusly. How you can show your teacher you appreciate her/him.
1. You use what they teach you to get there, and you never forget their help.
2. You try to teach your own children lessons you learned from them.
3. You always talk to them personally before judging them guilty of charges your child may make.
4. You emulate them by joining their ranks.
I could say so much more, but I will stop here. I may just post something similar to what you posted.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it and your feedback. Oh, you just made my day! Those are awesome and very much appreciated. I'd love to read that post. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
Comment from Mary Shifman
I really like this. Your post nailed what it means to be a teacher. I taught school for about twenty years and most of the time I loved it. I retired a few years ago and I still miss it. I cried the first two falls when school started and I didn't go. I still miss my kids and I miss teaching. For a while I volunteered but I gave it up when Covid entered the picture.
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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I really like this. Your post nailed what it means to be a teacher. I taught school for about twenty years and most of the time I loved it. I retired a few years ago and I still miss it. I cried the first two falls when school started and I didn't go. I still miss my kids and I miss teaching. For a while I volunteered but I gave it up when Covid entered the picture.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it and your feedback. Wow--twenty years. That's amazing!!! Yes, whenever I'm sick, I find myself peering at the clock periodically and thinking about where my kiddos are in their school schedule. Yes, Covid changed a lot about teaching--some good and some ineffective. But I keep hoping and striving for the best and preparing my students for the next grade and their future lives in the real world. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
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You are welcome.
Comment from barbara.wilkey
Having taught first grade for 25 years and kindergarten for one year, I agree with all of these. Even though I'm retired I still worry about many of my former students.
Thank you for sharing.
(As a kindergarten teacher) You're asked, "Can you tie my shoes?" multiple times. (first grade teachers too!)
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Having taught first grade for 25 years and kindergarten for one year, I agree with all of these. Even though I'm retired I still worry about many of my former students.
Thank you for sharing.
(As a kindergarten teacher) You're asked, "Can you tie my shoes?" multiple times. (first grade teachers too!)
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it and your feedback. Wow! 25 years--that's amazing. I hope one day I can say I've gained that much experience. You're right. I'm still worrying about all my past students. Sometimes names become fuzzy, but you never forget those faces. Excellent point--I did make that edit, as I just remembered I have a few 3rd graders asking me, too. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
Comment from Terry Broxson
I was not a teacher, but I think I recognized the attributes of those that are in your wonderfully-written commentary. As Aristotle would say, you have presented your case with ethos, pathos, and logos. Excellent work. Terry.
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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I was not a teacher, but I think I recognized the attributes of those that are in your wonderfully-written commentary. As Aristotle would say, you have presented your case with ethos, pathos, and logos. Excellent work. Terry.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing, Terry. I appreciate it and your feedback. Wow! Thank you!!! That means a lot to me. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
Comment from Sarah Robin
I enjoyed reading this post! I can relate to all of your reasons. I think that being a teacher is very rewarding. You never forget your students. Well done! Sarah
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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I enjoyed reading this post! I can relate to all of your reasons. I think that being a teacher is very rewarding. You never forget your students. Well done! Sarah
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing, Sarah. I appreciate it and your feedback. You're right. I still remember my first two groups of students--student teaching K and 5th graders, who are now freshmen in high school and beginning their college years. As I always tell my kiddos, once you're in my class, you're my student, even after they change grades. I still see them as my students. Thank you for reading. Take care. :D :D
Comment from teols2016
Very nice. I would change two things though (and I am nit-picking):
1. on #2: I would take out the part about it only applying to kindergarten teachers. I'm sure it would still apply to all teachers. And, if not everyone agrees, let them draw their own conclusions.
2. If you're going to have a number one item at the bottom, I would count down instead of up on your list.
Otherwise, all true. I have a lot of friends who are teachers (and I tried to become one,) so I've seen all this so often.
Well done.
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Very nice. I would change two things though (and I am nit-picking):
1. on #2: I would take out the part about it only applying to kindergarten teachers. I'm sure it would still apply to all teachers. And, if not everyone agrees, let them draw their own conclusions.
2. If you're going to have a number one item at the bottom, I would count down instead of up on your list.
Otherwise, all true. I have a lot of friends who are teachers (and I tried to become one,) so I've seen all this so often.
Well done.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it and your feedback. Teaching is a great profession, and I'm glad I "fell into it." I love it so much. Excellent points, thank you. Thank you for reading again. Take care. :D :D
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Excellent. I wish that all teachers held to the same standards.
I wish that all students recognized the professionalism of teachers.
I wish that all parents understood the necessity of classroom decorum.
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Excellent. I wish that all teachers held to the same standards.
I wish that all students recognized the professionalism of teachers.
I wish that all parents understood the necessity of classroom decorum.
Best wishes.
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you for reading and reviewing, Wayne. I appreciate it and your feedback. You and me both! A colleague and I talk about that last one, especially almost daily. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
Comment from Dawn Munro
Aww! 19. You miss your kiddos when you're on vacation or home sick.
Hahahaha! 21. You learn to walk backward...and only occasionally bump into walls or other objects.
"The number 1 way you know that you're a teacher is...teaching does not come with an "off" switch as you love your babies with the depth of the Mariana Trench."
And anyone with any sense at all knows and appreciates this, and the many traits of our 'unsung heroes'...
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Aww! 19. You miss your kiddos when you're on vacation or home sick.
Hahahaha! 21. You learn to walk backward...and only occasionally bump into walls or other objects.
"The number 1 way you know that you're a teacher is...teaching does not come with an "off" switch as you love your babies with the depth of the Mariana Trench."
And anyone with any sense at all knows and appreciates this, and the many traits of our 'unsung heroes'...
Comment Written 22-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 22-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I appreciate it and your feedback. Yes, those are some of my favorite traits, too. Every and throughout the year, I'm always striving to show my kiddos (who I call "dragonflies") that even when they have wrong actions, I still love and care about them. They're my babies, my adopted sons and daughters, as I do not currently have any of my own, but fingers crossed, I will one day. Thank you again for reading. Take care. :D :D
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It was my pleasure. :)
