Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Why I do what I do

Today a former parent stopped me in the hallway to give me a hug and welcome me back. She told me that her son, my former student, is struggling with writing. She said that he talks about me all the time, about how I helped him so much as a writer and he can't seem to get the same results since leaving my room. She told me that I should teach the gifted program because I have such an obvious passion for writing. And then she told me that I made a difference in his life.

I almost started to cry.

Lately I've been feeling so overwhelmed. Actually....Every day I feel so overwhelmed. I am caught up in the minutia. Trying to get to know my students, teach everything I'm supposed to in the way that I'm supposed to....heck, I'm still trying to find stuff in my classroom that between last May to this November has somehow gone missing. I haven't hit my stride yet and I'm waiting until I do....fearing that I won't. I feel I'm in a race, and barely keeping up.

Sometimes getting so caught up in the details you forget the reason you are doing what you are doing. That parent reminded me.

So tomorrow, when I go into work, I'm going to not worry so much about being a super star teacher. Tomorrow I'm going to enjoy my students. And I'm going to write with them. I'm going to show them that there are adults out there who love to write. Who approach it with passion and enthusiasm and a wish for nothing more than twenty or thirty uninterrupted minutes to let their pencil roam over the page. I'm going to remind myself that I can do this. Especially if I stay focused on why I'm doing it.

3 comments:

JaxMom said...

I am blessed that I had some teachers like you, Lisa. Keep up the good work. You do make a lasting impression on your students, whether their parents can tell you or not.

Keetha said...

You know, I feel so happy for all your students, because they have you as a teacher!

Teaching must be one of the hardest, most challenging jobs there is. And you're doing it.

A thought - when a student or parent or coworker compliments you, write it down or type it. Keep an ongoing list. Seriously. Then you take it out and read it when you're feeling less than certain of your abilities.

I have a file on my computer titled, "Nice Words," and any time I get a compliment about my writing, I copy and paste it there. It's a real lift.

Kelli said...

Oh how I loved the days when we'd get to focus on reading and writing as a student!

You are going to get through these overwhelming times and come out on top. I have all the faith in world regarding that. The "top" might be a little different then the one you knew before but it'll still be "the top" and you'll still succeed. Of that, I have no doubt.
XOXXO