Teachers often wonder if they're making an impact. There are so many nights that I go home sick thinking of how I could have done more for my kids. I think about how my choices can impact their lives either positively or negatively. The way that I teach them can either aid them in their learning or squander their love to learn. I can either make them feel loved or make them feel less than themselves. The pressure is immense, and the choices are many.
This week I had an amazing experience as a teacher. I was able to have my Kindergarten teacher come to share a story with my class. Having lived on the East side of the state, it is amazing to me that my teacher has since moved to Grand Rapids and we have reconnected. Who would have thought that this moment would have happened? Thinking of how amazing this opportunity was, twinkles appeared in both mine and my teacher's eyes. I say my teacher because once your teacher--always your teacher. Ms. Beck told my students that when I was in her Kindergarten class I was a good listener. Upon hearing this I smiled a prideful smile just as I'm sure I smiled when I was in her class. She always had a way of making her students feel special and accomplished, no matter how seemingly small the achievement: good listening.
(I told my principal what my Kindergarten teacher said, and he replied to say that she she must have had me confused with another child--I don't doubt his logic).
Just as I wonder if I have made an impact, this inspirational teacher of mine expressed this worry as well as we chatted as colleagues. I can say without a doubt that Ms. Beck made a positive impact on my life. I distinctly remember watching as she would read aloud to us. I remember just how eloquently she would hold the book so that we could see the pictures as she read. I remember thinking, "How does she do that? I want to do that someday." And now I am. I have her to thank.
This week I had an amazing experience as a teacher. I was able to have my Kindergarten teacher come to share a story with my class. Having lived on the East side of the state, it is amazing to me that my teacher has since moved to Grand Rapids and we have reconnected. Who would have thought that this moment would have happened? Thinking of how amazing this opportunity was, twinkles appeared in both mine and my teacher's eyes. I say my teacher because once your teacher--always your teacher. Ms. Beck told my students that when I was in her Kindergarten class I was a good listener. Upon hearing this I smiled a prideful smile just as I'm sure I smiled when I was in her class. She always had a way of making her students feel special and accomplished, no matter how seemingly small the achievement: good listening.
(I told my principal what my Kindergarten teacher said, and he replied to say that she she must have had me confused with another child--I don't doubt his logic).
Just as I wonder if I have made an impact, this inspirational teacher of mine expressed this worry as well as we chatted as colleagues. I can say without a doubt that Ms. Beck made a positive impact on my life. I distinctly remember watching as she would read aloud to us. I remember just how eloquently she would hold the book so that we could see the pictures as she read. I remember thinking, "How does she do that? I want to do that someday." And now I am. I have her to thank.
Full circle. I am honored to have a teacher who inspired me and my path to teaching sharing her heart with children that have mine. Here are some photos:
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| Ms. Beck's Kindergarten class....Katie with the cat sweater, of course! |
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| My kids with our special guest reader |
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| Ms. Beck :) |
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| She busted out the sock puppets :) |
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