"You're not like Mrs. Ebbell," she says to me, a sweet expression on her face to match the kind thought.
I've had my Mrs. Ebbell moments, I think to myself. But on the whole, overall- I am thankful they don't think I am like Bradley Chalkers' teacher in the book There's a Boy in the Girl's Bathroom. Mrs. Ebbell is openly unkind to Bradley. She doesn't defend him when the other children are mean to him. She expects him to be awful and to fail. She gives him a horrible reputation to live up to, which he does for the longest time. It is Carla, the counselor, who shows Bradley he isn't a monster, that he is a good person who can make better choices. Later that morning, I am handed a piece of paper by another lovely student who is always listening, always putting forth effort, always striving to help. Her note said she wished I could be her teacher forever and on the back, she drew my water bottle. I recently purchased a huge water bottle that holds 128 ounces. It has markings with words of encouragement, as seen in the picture she drew above. It got me thinking about how students notice everything about us- what we wear, what we eat and drink, the stories we share, our patience levels, our love for them. We really can't hide who we are as teachers- it comes shining through all our actions. The books we chose to read- or not read. The way we start the day together. The way we end the day together. Kids know. They know if you really care or if you don't. They know if you enjoy learning or are just going through the motions of a lesson. So our challenge, then, is to bring the best of ourselves to our work- work that is often exhausting emotionally and physically. Work that there isn't enough time to do. On days when we are personally lost, or frustrated or sad or tired- we still have to try to bring our best self to our students because they are watching us and what we say and do matters.
8 Comments
Melanie Meehan
3/4/2020 03:13:46 am
I love the reflection that comes from the moment. Sounds like a pretty important compliment you had from both students.
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3/4/2020 08:02:18 am
This is so lovely, Kathy! You are so genuine and so warm and always show such empathy. How lucky your students are. Of course that student wants you to be her teacher forever. Who wouldn't.
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It is clear that you’re impacting the lives of your students not just by teaching them, but by being present, caring, and listening. Of course they want you to be their teacher forever... they know how amazing you are!
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eva kaplan
3/4/2020 03:38:00 pm
I get how important HOW you're students feel matters so much to you. It's really the best part of our job as elementary school teachers. I just love that water bottle picture and how the child wrote, "You got this!" You're so right... they notice everything!
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3/4/2020 04:59:39 pm
They don't miss anything, do they? I don't think we can begin to know the impact we have on our students. What a lovely way she found to show you how important you are in her life. Keep drinking that water! You got this!
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3/4/2020 05:11:28 pm
There’s a mini lesson hiding in this slice of life. . . your students notice the kind of specific details about you that bring writing to life. Love it!
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3/4/2020 08:58:58 pm
I liked the picture at first glance but, having now read the slice that tells its story, I *love* the picture. I appreciate the message of the two together, that: We're always teaching.
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AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
February 2024
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