"Service" is an accurate description for that which I have tried to live up to in my professional career, but 30 years seems unbelievable to me. It seems more like 10 or so. Since this feat has been brought to the forefront, I spent some time reminiscing and looking back asking myself what I have done to make a difference and has my effort been worthwhile.
Teaching has varied meaning and connotations to different people. Some view it as a worthy profession while others have little respect and understanding for what you do. Anybody can be a teacher--right? Good teachers never "arrive." You keep training and learning yourself. Let me just say that I've spent my entire life going to school and attaining more knowledge just to stay ahead of the students. My education did not stop once I received my college degree. The professional development hours are too numerous to count beyond my BSE, MSE, and an additional 33 hours. A good teacher must continually study and challenge oneself to be able to give students what they need to be successful. And also very important, teaching is about communication. All the knowledge in the world is no good if as the teacher you cannot communicate it to another individual so that they understand, actually learn, and use it.
Some would say that teachers have it made because they work for 8 to 3, have summers off, and some are overly confident in the myth that teachers get paid summer vacations. My children and husband could tell you that is not the case. For years, my children rode the bus from their schools to get to mine because mom could not get there to pick them up. I had a little fridge that was filled with drinks and snacks to they could eat and not be hungry until we could get home. They did homework and played games on the computer waiting patiently for mom to get through so we could leave. I distinctly remember being saddened one afternoon when my then 8-year-old Bryan said, "Mom, we never have to look for our car; it's the only one on the parking lot." The up side of this situation was that Micah would draw and write sweet notes and then, leave them behind in hidden places for me to find. I have them to this day in my desk drawer at school and pull them out when I need to feel better. After staying late, it wasn't over. Collin would tell you that once home, there was a meal to be prepared, laundry to wash, homework to oversee, baths to take, and once everyone was in bed and the house was quiet, mom took papers and work from her bag editing and correcting just to get in bed by midnight or 1 a.m. This was particularly the norm during and 11 years I was the yearbook adviser. And we won't even get into the summer weeks of in-service trainings and conferences.
Some would say that teaching is an easy job; what could be hard about teaching or stressful? Well let me say that most of my students were wonderful, but some were thankless and disrespectful. Teachers have feelings and some days, I came home feeling drained and defeated. How could I possibly go back tomorrow and start over again a with a smile and enthusiasm, but I always did.
An may I say that teaching is more than standing with a book, drawing on the board, and spouting facts. I am an entertainer: It's work to keep kids' attention when they were born in front of the computer, have I Pods and I Phones, and grew up on Nintendo. Some days I feel I have to sing, dance, stand on my head, and be a stand up comedian. I am an administrator: I spend hours planning, organizing, researching, preparing reports and utilizing my computer. Grades must be calculated and entered into the computer. There are countless meetings and in-service conferences, committees, and helping other colleagues not to mention answering to the principal for a special project when called upon. I am a nurse: I feel of feverish foreheads, examine students for pink eye, share the tissue box for runny noses, provide hand sanitizer to stalemate germs, dispense peppermint candy for coughs, and send kids to the water fountain for severe cases of hiccups. I am a security officer: I have various break duties to stand guard and be sure everyone is safe at all times. I am a counselor: I hand out words of encouragement and advice for studying harder, making college and vocational choices, and helping kids find jobs. I am a social worker/psychologist: I listen to problems and offer suggestions for conflict resolution. I wipe away tears and offer consoling words when there has been a romantic break-up or worse, when some one's mom or dad has left home, and I clap and cheer with glee when one of my boys has just got the truck he always wanted or one of the girls had her dream date ask her to the prom.
So then, I repeat, anybody can be a teacher, right? For me, it was a vocational calling from God, my service, my ministry in the world, the place He planted me to bloom. Every day wasn't easy or great, but I went into education because I had enjoyed school so much, I thought I understood teenagers just a bit, and I thought and hoped that I could make a difference for a least a few. Jesus didn't have it easy every day, but he was the most phenomenal teacher ever to live and walk the earth. He never gave up and I have tried to follow his example. I did speak with Him on several occasions about my trials, tribulations, hurts, and disappointments.
But there was also joy and a sense of pride in seeing students grow up, be successful, and knowing you were just a small part of seeing them rise to new heights and achieve their dreams. I calculated that in my 30 years, I have taught and worked with approximately 3000 to 3300 students. I can't remember all their names, but many are the times I see a familiar face and know they were my student. Sometimes, they recognize me and speak. It is the most gratifying experience imaginable. My students are now doctors, surgeons, and nurses. They are teachers, engineers, police officers, dentists and legal assistants. They are administrative assistants, real-estate agents, bankers, financial counselors, and human resource managers. They are journalists, photographers, artist, musicians, and Broadway actors. They are moms and dads sending me second-generation children. I could go on and on; the bottom line--they made it and let me tell you, some of them were "little toots"; mischievous, but precious. About a few of them, I would think, "This is a child only a mother could love." There were a few that I would think, "I have to take this child with aspirin." But then, there were those that I would think, "I could take this child home as my own." There were some that I anguished over and wished I could do more because there was no home life, no support, no discipline, and no one to hug them and say, "I love you." Regretfully, some had turned to alcohol and drugs looking for happiness.
Just as one of ten lepers came back to thank Jesus, I've had a few come back and say, "thank you," "you encouraged me," "you stayed after me," "you pushed me," "you never gave upon me," or "keyboarding was the most helpful class I ever had." That's what it's all about for me, that's what means the most, that's what helped me to believe that just maybe I've made a difference for one or two.
My principal called me to his office once to tell me a parent had called and complained that his child had reported that I had scripture on my screen saver scrolling across my computer monitor on my desk. I said, "Yes sir, it's true. It says, 'Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.' (Eph. 4:1) It's a daily reminder to do the best job I can every day for every student. Some days I need all the encouragement I can get." He smiled and somewhat melted. I assured him that mine was the only computer with scripture, but I'd really like to place it on all the student monitors in my room and it would read "REPENT and be ye baptized." with emphasis on repent.
Teaching has been fulfilling and rewarding for me. Many mornings, I would repeat to myself, "My job is to make sure every student get a chance to succeed today." I can only hope that I have indeed, served and worked my lifetime as unto the Lord. I hope I have walked worthy of the vocation that God purposed for my life. I hope one day he will say to me, "As you have done it unto one of these, you have done it unto me." Jesus loved children, he knew their tender, trusting hearts opened to the gateway of heaven and admonished adults to follow their example. In Mark 10:16, it says he took them in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Well, my children had all grown tall unlike the small children that He held in his arms, but the majority still had tender, trusting hearts and I tried to love all of them no matter the size, shape, color, or situation and I tried to teach all of them regardless of their aptitudes or their attitudes. I hope I made all of them feel special from time to time and they knew I cared for them. Many is the time I would jokingly tell them that I was second in line to their mother. For a few of them I think I was the only mother they had.
I've certainly grown from that first year teacher to this seasoned one. Oh how I do feel badly for the group I taught the first year. For all the methods classes I had in college, there is no substitute for the first year teaching experience when you're in the room, in charge, and all by yourself. I hope they learned something. As I look back, I think I've come along way from that beginning experience. I hope I can continue to learn and excel. When I can't anymore it will be time to hand over my position to someone younger and full of energy, that someone I started out as 30 years ago.
Teaching has been a lifetime vocation for me. I'd like to retire, but God hasn't revealed that He is finished with me in this capacity. It's not over yet; I'm continuing on, striving to do my best on a daily basis. Its hard work, but gratifying. Some days are trying, but more are joyous and remarkable and certainly never boring. My body is getting old, but working with 17 year olds keeps you young at heart. The paycheck is not as grand as in some other fields of work by some people's measure, but nonetheless, I've never been hungry or missed paying a bill. My life has been richly blessed by helping others. My life has been made fuller by those I've come in contact with on a daily basis be it student or colleague. I've been fortunate to be associated with Jonesboro Public Schools for 30 years and I'm thankful for a principal who took a chance on a young college graduate and offered her a job.
Forever a Hurricane
Marcia
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