Apr 27 2008
What inspires you as a teacher?
What inspires me as a teacher? Well, I have been thinking about this a lot. One thing for sure is the students. When a students learns to grasp a concept or skill, it is like a child opening up a present and the surprise that you see in their eyes. The joy that the children feel when they realize that they can do it is priceless. It is almost like a drug. Once you see that look in their face and the confidence that they show, you are willing to do almost anything to get the next child to that same place. I know for first grade teachers, it is when you see children shift from a struggling reader towards having a self-extending system. You feel so useful! I think that when people see that joy, they want to share in it for a lifetime as a teacher.
I think the other thing that inspires me is being involved in a community of learners. Listening to everyone’s burning issues and watching the different ways people tackle it is definitely inspiring. Yesterday, at the conference, I got to see the work that everyone had struggled with through the year. The projects turned out so great and I think everybody in our group has changed the body of research out there. When you are surrounded by great people like the folks that I have worked with in the program this year, you can’t help but be inspired. For people who don’t go back to school, they miss out on the wonderful things that other learners can share. I think after the program is over, I could spend five years or so, just taking some of the ideas that I have heard from the other participants in this program, and trying to begin to implement them. That’s inspiring!
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Jacqueline,
You have inspired me all year long. I have listened to the struggles you have encountered at school trying to make some social changes occur. That’s wonderful. And you advocated on behalf of your students and that’s also inspiring. You’ve thought of me when you came across articles for your own literature reviews and shared them with me. You have lent me your videos and explained things to me so that I could understand. You have been such a welcomed inspiration and I hope that you continue to speak up for what you believe in…I know I’ll be listening.
You inspire ME!
You are such a good teacher and it’s obvious you love your job. It inspires me to always want to do my best! Hasn’t this year been great AND inspiring!?!? We’ve been in class with some intelligent, fun, “real” people and that in itself is inspiring.