Apple for the Teacher...

This week being teacher appreciation week, it reminded me how much I really appreciate a good teacher.  In my formal educational career, I have only had a handful of really terrific teachers.  The majority of them were average.  And then, there were a handful that were exceptionally rotten.  So bad you had to wonder why they were even teachers to begin with.  I expect that they may not have started out terrible to begin with, because I’d have to imagine that most teachers choose their career because they are excited about learning.  Or maybe because they love kids or truly want to make a difference in someone’s life.  These reasons to me, would indicate a pretty special person right there. Lord knows, they probably did not choose their lifelong path because of the salary, especially if they happen to be a Catholic school teacher.

I’ve heard from a teacher friend that they are human too, and it’s a career given that burnout at one point or another is part of the game.  I suppose that’s why sabbaticals are like the holy grail for them--not because educators can’t teach any more, but more because being charged with enlightening little--or young adult minds can be incredibly draining.  Students, after all, are lots things.  As much as there are amazing kids with brilliant minds, there are also lazy kids that could care less about being school, kids with difficult home lives, as well as children that weren’t blessed with as much mental acuity as some others.  When you roll that package up all together, it can be rewarding yet immensely challenging at the same time.  One of those that falls into the toughest job you’ll ever love categories.  Not at all unlike motherhood, in that there isn’t necessarily a “rule book”. As we all intimately know, every child is different and they could just as easily make you want to jump off a cliff or bring tears of joy and happiness--even in the same 5 minutes.

I’m sure that there are countless stories of teachers that have truly changed people’s lives.  Teachers are such a huge part of most people’s existence, it’s a no brainer that this logic surely follows. Sadly of all the dozens of teachers that I’ve had, I can only remember a handful of their names.  I’ve always liked English, and those were probably some of my favorite teachers mostly because I loved the subject matter.  Unfair in a way, but true.  There were of course exceptions, and those exceptions made them the most memorable.

One of the first, and probably only come to think of it, history teachers that I actually liked was a large bald man with glasses who taught World Cultures in high school.  It was exciting without him even doing much just for the sheer fact that he was a man.  Don't know why there are so few male teachers--it's a shame, as they teach from a different perspective. He had such an animated voice, and he tried to really bring the subject matter to life.  I still wasn’t a big fan of history in general, but he gave me a new appreciation that I never knew that I had for all things past. Another one of my favorites was a short little nun with a heavy Philly accent who taught English lit in high school. She too, had an interesting way of bringing the subject matter to life.  Even though I already loved the class, she interjected herself so personally into the subject matter, it was hard not to get sucked into it as well.  What an awesome thing to be able to mold someone’s mind so that they can view things in a totally different way.  She even scored points for mentioning that she liked to play tennis.  Now that was a lightning bolt back then, that teachers (let alone a nun!) actually had interests outside of school, especially a nun.  Who knew?

My husband at one point suggested it’d be great if I home schooled the kids.  Now I love my kids, and loved spending lots of time doing all things kid related, learning and having fun together when they were small, but to have to be responsible for their every day learning?  Whew.   I don’t think so.  Did you ever notice that so there are so many times you tell your kid ABC, and some other person also tells them ABC, and just for the sheer fact that it wasn’t you, they get it or listen to the other person?  Can I imagine going through that every day?  Not for a minute.  I give a ton of credit for anyone who does take up this monumental task upon themselves at home, but as much as our education system has its flaws, there is something to be said about exposing your kids to other adults and learning that other grown ups besides your parents can be good role models--or if you happen to have sucko parents, that teachers may be your only chance to look at what could be...

Which brings me to the fact that teachers make a big difference in our own lives, but also in the lives of our children.  I have to say so far that I have been extremely blessed so far with the folks that have touched the lives of my children in the learning department.  Of course, some have been better than others, but happily, mostly better. It's been a sheer joy to see that many of them have actually understood my children without me having to say a word.  Even better when they allow the kids a little bit of wiggle room to be their own person, but still learn complete the tasks at hand and learn to accomplish what needs to be done.

So I'd like to take this opportunity to thank from the very bottom of heart all of those teachers out there who have made a difference in our lives and our children's lives.  I want to say that you are very much appreciated and truly make the world a better place.  I'd love to hear first hand if anyone has ever been inspired by a special teacher, as I've heard that those kinds of stories are what helps inspired the teachers too--hearing that they do make a real difference and keep them going back for more!

Barb Welsh has lived in Herndon for about 12 years and has two sons, age 11 and 9. She is a member of the Herndon Patch Moms Council and regularly blogs at www.obsessmuch.com.