As I walked out of the office this afternoon, one of my students was at the front desk with his mom. There is an unexplainable joy when a high schooler recognizes your presence in public. Instead of looking the other way or pretending to not see you (and don't get me wrong, I play this game too with people I would rather not talk too), they look right at you. It is even more exciting when you get a smile or a head nod. And the ultimate recognition is when you are called over to meet their parent standing next to them at the front desk.
Today, I was called over to be introduced to my student's mom! As a beginning teacher, I was so excited, and I am not sure if this excitement will wear down in a few years when I am trying to run from one place to another and don't have time to stop and chat, but I hope that it doesn't. I hope that every time one of my kiddos acknowledges my presence and wants to introduce me to their parent, I will feel that joy.
We exchanged pleasantries and handshakes and then the BEST thing of my career happened. My student looked at me and said, "You are my most favorite teacher." So, here's the thing about this statement:
1. My student is a senior, so he has had a lot of teachers.
2. It was the most genuine comment I have ever received.
3. I would have been honored to be one of his Top 20, but favorite?! Wow.
4. I have only been in this class a month!
Okay, so I am not trying to brag by any means, though it seems like it. All I am saying is that today, I felt so appreciated and I know that comes once in a blue moon for teachers. Maybe I teared up. Maybe I beamed as I walked to my car. Maybe my confidence in what I do went up a little bit. Maybe every time I question if I am doing the right thing, I can come back to this.
If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Sometimes those days, no matter how much you love it, can be challenging, but then there are days like today. But then there are days like today where you walk to your car with a little more pep in your step and light in your eyes.
Cheers to good days and only one week left until my Seniors walk across that stage!
Today, I was called over to be introduced to my student's mom! As a beginning teacher, I was so excited, and I am not sure if this excitement will wear down in a few years when I am trying to run from one place to another and don't have time to stop and chat, but I hope that it doesn't. I hope that every time one of my kiddos acknowledges my presence and wants to introduce me to their parent, I will feel that joy.
We exchanged pleasantries and handshakes and then the BEST thing of my career happened. My student looked at me and said, "You are my most favorite teacher." So, here's the thing about this statement:
1. My student is a senior, so he has had a lot of teachers.
2. It was the most genuine comment I have ever received.
3. I would have been honored to be one of his Top 20, but favorite?! Wow.
4. I have only been in this class a month!
Okay, so I am not trying to brag by any means, though it seems like it. All I am saying is that today, I felt so appreciated and I know that comes once in a blue moon for teachers. Maybe I teared up. Maybe I beamed as I walked to my car. Maybe my confidence in what I do went up a little bit. Maybe every time I question if I am doing the right thing, I can come back to this.
If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life. Sometimes those days, no matter how much you love it, can be challenging, but then there are days like today. But then there are days like today where you walk to your car with a little more pep in your step and light in your eyes.
Cheers to good days and only one week left until my Seniors walk across that stage!