Due to graduating in three weeks which is genuinely a dream come true for me, I wanted to take this time to thank my former teachers and how they have inspired me to become a teacher. As a young child, I wanted to teach, but if it was not for my teachers, I am not sure if I would have continued to pursue down this path. They inspired me with their kind hearts on a daily basis and were the perfect examples of the teacher I strive to be like in the future.
It all started with my 4th grade teacher who reminded me of Mrs. Honey from Matilda. She was kind, and she welcomed me in due to being a new student at the school. She made me feel like I had something to offer, and I still remember when she gave me a bag of tootsie rolls which were my favorite candy due to being one of the students who read the most books. I remember that moment like it was yesterday because this was the 1st time in my life when a teacher truly cared about who I was a person. I wrote in my journal from that year that I wanted to become a teacher, and I know that she is a major reason why. In 5th grade, I had a rough year. I broke my arm, and my grandma ended up passing away which resulted in me missing school for 3 weeks due to needing to travel to Poland for the funeral. I remember arriving back home after the 3 weeks have passed by and seeing a note from my teacher in the mail. She told me that she was praying for me and my family, and she genuinely cared about what I was going through. I was young, but that moment meant a lot to me due to her going the extra mile and showing me that she truly cared. During middle school and high school, I have also met countless educators who have shaped my life. If I wrote about each one of them, this blog would quickly turn into a story. I know people say that, if you have one person who cares about you, you are lucky, but I have such a huge support network which ranges from my family, PLN, former teachers, and my professors. I am still in the process of applying for teaching positions, and yesterday, I decided to go out for tea with my friend around 10 in the evening due to needing a break from job applications. What started out as a quick run to tea became the inspiration for this blog post. Yesterday, right behind my friend and I in line, a group of 4 students were behind us waiting to order. I glanced at them and proceeded with my order, but when I walked past them, I heard whispers like "She was so nice". It turns out that these four girls were my former students. I interned at a school last semester, and these students remembered me. Due to them being nervous to say hi, I approached them and had a brief conversation. They mentioned that they were in 8th grade now, and I mentioned that I would be graduating in a few weeks. To them, it may have been just a brief encounter with a former teacher, but, to me, it was the first moment when I felt like I truly made a difference. I remember seeing teachers at a store and being afraid of approaching them, and it was an eye opening experience for me to see that the table has turned. I want to be the kind of teacher who talks to former students and takes the time to say hi when they are hesitating . Our kids deserve to have someone who cares on their side 24/7, and yesterday, I shifted my perspective and realized the immense power I have to be a teacher that they remember. I hope my future students say "She was so nice" when they see me walking by, and I am excited for my future because I now realize that I can be the type of teacher I dreamed about becoming. Never lose your passion, and keep your light shining brightly. Our students need you, and they deserve your passion and genuine goodness . When I am wondering if I am making a difference, I will think back to those four students who reassured me that I absolutely am. While the rest may still be unwritten, I know that I am on the right path. I aim to live a life I am proud of. As @nankr1120 tweeted out, " To believe you can strengthens every fiber of your being, to believe you are worthy humbles your core. But to be believed in creates endless possibilities." Without people believing in me, I do not know where I would be today. I aim to inspire, and even though I was born premature, I have come a long way, and I have faith that my story will inspire others.
4 Comments
Nancy Leffring
4/21/2018 07:32:42 pm
Susan, what a beautiful and heartfelt piece of writing! Also, congratulations on your graduation! You have chosen the right path to travel down as evidenced by your writing. I wish you many many years of inspiring and being inspired by your students!!!
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Mary Simms
4/22/2018 06:34:45 am
Congratulations! It’s so exciting that your teaching journey is just beginning. I can’t wait to hear all about your first job. Your passion and love for teaching shows in your words and you will make an amazing teacher. Your kind words bring me such happiness and joy. I hope to continue to make a difference in my students life.
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Alana Stanton
4/22/2018 07:44:18 am
Susan,
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Lori Varriale
4/23/2018 07:38:05 pm
Susan, it’s awesome to hear that you’re starting to see things from the other side and to know you’re already making a difference even though you’ve just started. If this is how it starts for you, I wonder what fantastic journeys lie ahead! Congratulations and good luck on those apps!
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AuthorMy name is Ms. Jachymiak, and I am a pre-service teacher currently attending Illinois State University. This blog follows my journey as a student teacher. @MsJachymiak Archives
May 2018
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