My final entry as a guest blogger this year is short and sweet and I hope it will be a refreshing reminder. First, I need for you to do something. Stop reading for a moment and think back to when you decided to be a teacher. Remember the reason(s) you made that decision? Write it down. Yes, right now. I’ll wait.
I’m serious. Write it down. Don’t read any further until you do - it makes a difference.
Remember the passion you felt? Here’s the thing. Rules, regulations, government, IEPs, divorce, poverty, tests, tests, and more tests, data, etc., are just a few of the things that tend to suck that passion right out of us. But only if we let it. It’s your job to not let those pressures rob you of that original passion to teach. Why? Because every single student you teach counts on it. They rely on you to push all of that aside and remember why you are there in the first place. Because of THEM.
You will forever have outside pressures that attempt to distract you from the joy and passion of teaching. You get to be a superhero and defeat those pressures every single day. Imagine that! You’re someone’s superhero. Every. Single. Day.
I leave you with this most inspiring video to make my point. If you’ve seen this before, watch it again. It’s worth it. If this is your first time and you haven’t bookmarked it yet, I suggest you do so. Anytime you feel defeated, watch this video.
Teacher, you ARE a superhero.
//www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZm0BfXYvFg
Cathy Stephens, Director
Office of Educational Certification & Career Services
Whitworth University
Spokane, WA