I was fortunate to be surrounded by incredible educators, early
in my teaching career. Educators who cared just as much about teaching me as
they did about teaching the students in their classes.
Early Lessons:
Many of the lessons from my first year of teaching were rather predictable,
such as how to respectfully communicate with parents and how to hold a
storybook at just the right angle. Some lessons were difficult, like how to admit
when you’re wrong and how to apologize to child. Some were unexpected, like how to determine
if a child has lice, or how to react when a family of mice runs across your
countertop. Some were infuriating like
how to prepare thirty energetic third graders to take a three hour standardized
assessment, the results of which would not be received until the school year
ended. Many were difficult – like determining the best ways to prevent bullying
or knowing how best to resolve conflicts before they escalated. Some were
inspirational, like how to encourage those around you and how to put a positive
spin on unpleasant situations. And some
lessons were heartbreaking, such as how to know when a child is hungry and learning
when to call protective services.
The truth is no matter how wonderful the undergraduate
training, most of the lessons and experiences that shape a great teacher happen
during the first few years on the job. Perhaps it is this necessary learning
that binds a new teacher so closely with her first few classes. After all, there is much to learn, making both
the teacher and the children, students.
On my first day of teaching, my mentor teacher pulled me
aside and asked me to describe how I was feeling. I told her how excited I was
and how grateful I felt for this opportunity to do what I love. When I finished, she smiled and handed me an
empty folder. She explained that teaching was challenging and there would come
a day when my zeal would fade. She told me to fill that empty folder with
pieces that would remind of the excitement and joy I felt on this first day. She suggested that I keep adding artifacts to
this folder that made me feel valued and happy.
She was right. There came a day when I didn’t feel “lucky”
to be a teacher. And there were days when I felt “less than” and it was on
those days that this simple file folder – no longer empty- revived me. Much of what I placed in that folder, at
first glance- may appear worthless. Take for example a single, dried dandelion, presented
to me for teacher appreciation week; this tiny flower is worth more than any bouquet
because of the genuine love with which it was given. Every component of this
folder reminds me of my initial excitement, of colleagues who patiently shared
their wisdom, and of children who left me better for having had the opportunity
to be a part of their educational journey.
Dedicated to Kathy Baldwin, who once gave me an empty folder and to Noelle Douglas who helped me fill it.
