I Make a Difference?
I was sitting here at my desk working on lessons for my AP class and people kept congratulating me. The look of confusion on my face had to be the first clue that I didn’t know what they were talking about. Finally, one of my colleagues told me to read my email. Apparently the principal feels that I make a difference. There’s a weekly award that our principal presents to someone he feels makes a difference in the school and the lives of our students. In my eight years of teaching, it has only been awarded to a science teacher twice. The first time was to me six years ago and then to Lauri, one of my closest colleagues, later that same year. Have we been that bad for the last six years that no science teacher made a difference?
Here’s my thought on the whole award. While I appreciate the idea behind letting people know that they make a difference, isn’t that what a teacher is supposed to do? I mean, I know we are supposed to teach students about a particular subject, but I thought one of the most important parts of job was to make a difference in the lives of our students, preferably in a good way.
I work at a school with the lowest demographics of any school in the district. It is the only place I wanted to teach because it’s where I belong. I’m proud to have graduated from this school, although, it was many years ago. I understand and relate to the kids because I’ve literally been where they are and shared many of their experiences Most of my day is spent just trying to teach kids how to cope with the troubles of everyday life. It seems that with each passing year there is less and less time for teaching actual content. It amazes me that my kids actually score as high as they do on the standards tests.
My purpose here is not to earn or receive given to me by my colleagues. The awards, or maybe even better, rewards, that mean the most to me come from the kids. When one of my kids is successful in the real world and comes back to share their experiences, that means something. When one of my kids goes off to college and comes back to share their experiences, that means something. When I run into one of my kids and I can tell they’re doing okay for themselves, that means something. When one of my kids gives me an invitation to their college graduation or wedding, that means something. Every time one of my kids tells me how much they appreciate the things I did for them, that means something. In fact, of the teaching awards I’ve received, the ones that mean the most to me came from my kids. For six straight years, I’ve been nominated by one of my kids for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that, while I appreciate the sentiment, I’m not here for the awards, I’m here for the kids so I better go get ready for them.
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