Reflection

Last night my husband and I decided to brave the elements to go to our favorite restaurant in Waverly, Ohio--Fred's. We had a nice meal and chatted. On our way home the snow was falling which is especially beautiful here in the forest and it gives one time to be alone with ones thoughts.

I thought about the fact that I would begin teaching my first college class to pre-service teachers in a couple of days and what I would say to them and ask them. The first question that came to mind was to ask, "why did you choose education?" The answer that drives me crazy is "because I love children." I love dogs but I am not going to become a vet! There has to be more of a reason than that....so I thought, well why did you become a teacher and the answer was easy.

Growing up we moved around a lot, my siblings and I went to many schools. In fact, I went to 9 schools....four different high schools. I remember that we moved mid way into my freshman year of high school. I excelled at the new school. I had a teacher by the name of Mr. Cowan, he was my biology teacher. He made biology fun, but more than that, he knew I was there. My gym teacher told me that he told her I would make a great scientist. I was thrilled. At the end of the year, we moved back to my previous school--which had consolidated with a neighboring district. None of that really matter because I had attended both school districts so for me, I got to see old friends. The tough part was when I found out that my picture was not in either yearbook of the schools I had attended....I did not exist. I was invisible. Have you ever been so emotionally hurt that you had physical pain, that is how bad it hurt.

So why did I become a teacher? Not because Mr. Cowan was extraordinary at the art of teaching...but because I mattered. I became a teacher to make sure that the children entrusted to me knew every day that they mattered. I cared about how they were doing that day, the quietest of the quiet and the rowdiest all were welcome in my room. It was a safe place where everyone was valued and learning was at the top of our list.

So why did you become a teacher?