What’s the Lesson for Today?

Now I know what it is like to be a teacher. Now I understand the sweat and hard work required to teach.  Now I know why my sister and mom are constantly tired. I have only one young student. My sister teaches freshman and sophomore English and carries a load of 179 students–almost unimaginable to me. My mom, an English instructor at Kilgore College–no telling how many students she is responsible for. Then there is my friend Melissa, who still finds time to be the cheerleading sponsor at her school where she teaches English as well. My cousin Karen started her career at an underprivileged school but now teaches eighth grade English in Denton. How does she do that and find time to spend with her beautiful baby girl and husband? My best friend Jessica teaches several online college courses and still manages to work on her dissertation and raise an incredible five-year-old daughter.  How in the world do these women do this? I mean seriously. I have one student, and it causes me anxiety (well everything does, but you understand). I can’t begin to fathom the unrelenting dedication, aspirations and fortitude these women possess. But at least I know now a fraction of that. I have a whole new outlook on teachers and the education system. Julia told me yesterday that she enjoyed working with me. She told me that had her teachers in school treated her the way I do…she would have stayed in school. But instead this innocent child slipped through the cracks. She still asks me all the time the meaning of a word that she doesn’t know, and we are talking very simple English words—“chores” and “route”, for example. Just a couple of weeks ago Julia didn’t know the difference between present tenses and complete sentences. Now she is learning and that is because I am teaching her—someone who has never taught. Julia has come remarkably far in just a few weeks. I dare only imagine how far she can go.

Teaching is a very under-estimated profession. Our teachers strive everyday, with millions of students, to provide a positive future for all of us. Teachers have forever put themselves last and their students first. They are certainly not rewarded the way they should be. The American education system could stand some serious restructuring. But nevertheless, these people spend all day…with someone else’s child…with the ultimate hope that no one will fall through the cracks as Julia did, but instead, take what they have learned and put it to use in life.  There should be a federal holiday that represents who teachers are and what teachers do. Let’s dedicate an entire day at least, to praise these under praised groups.

And now I know. I have decided that the teaching profession is not for me, for several reasons. However, tutoring here and there will prove to be just as rewarding in my case.

Whatever you are doing now, wherever you are…there was a teacher who played an important role in your life. Can you remember? We are always going to need them…so we should be rewarding and grateful. Look around. You can see them everywhere…our teachers…the people giving everything they have…everyday… to ensure us a better future. Isn’t it time they be recognized?

So I recognize Mrs. Glaze, my fourth grade teacher. I recognize Mrs. Jerina, my fifth grade teacher. I recognize you Mr. Jeter, my sophomore science teacher, and I thank you for all that you have done. I am a better person today than I ever could have hoped to be…and I owe it all to you.