You're a hero, Teach!

Looking for some motivation as a teacher?  Need some inspiration to continue the cause of education?  This blog is just what you've been looking for.  We've all heard it said that teachers are some of the heroes of society.  Today I want to take a look at just how true that is. Like this sign and T-shirt displays,  YOU ARE A HERO!

During the following experience I realized just how true it is that teachers are appreciated and even viewed as heroes.  I am writing this in April 2020, at the time of the Covid 19 "coronoavirus" outbreak.  As you know, students are not allowed in most schools throughout the country, and in many school teachers aren't allowed in.  We all have to stay at least six feet apart and avoid congregations of people.  I've enjoyed recording my thoughts about this unique situation and having my students do the same.  Here is the journal page I've used.

Like many areas, our school decided to have a teacher parade.  We decorated our vehicles.  (Mostly with the window markers shown below, which worked well for us.)  We drove around our rural community in our own vehicles waving and honking to students in their yards, street corners, etc.  Of course, I was having  fun with it--trying to be a stereotypical man about it rather than touchy feely emotional like  my female colleagues--when all of a sudden, we went around a corner and I choked up with what I saw and experienced.

Families were lining the street (six or more feet apart of course).  As you can see in the picture below, many were holding up signs, such as "We love teachers".  Many had tears, but it was the kids' smiles that stuck out to  me.  They were so happy at just being able to see us teachers!  Then a song came on the radio with the lyrics, "everything's gonna be alright" from the album "No Zip Code".  As manly as I try to be, at this moment--with the outpouring of love and the reassuring song on the radio--I couldn't help getting emotional...Luckily, my wiper blade suddenly flew off and I had to focus on driving through the wisps of rain with no wipers, which saved me from entirely confronting my emotions. 😃

During this experience, I felt like an Olympian returning from their gold medal event to the fanfare of home.  I truly felt like an American hero.  The point is...it's not just me that deserves to feel like a hero for my efforts as a teacher.  EACH OF YOU TEACHERS ARE A HERO AS WELL!!!  Keep up your heroic work of inspiring students!

If you are looking for more encouragment for teaching, you might enjoy my blog post about how you are making a difference. (Click here to view it.) You might also enjoy just browsing my blog archive (on the right if you're viewing this form a computer) to read all the uplifting messages

As always, hang in there, Teach!
Happy Teaching,
Frank
P.S. If you enjoyed this content, you can receive each post I publish by filling in the "follow by email" box at the top right (on the desktop version of the site)

(Click to see the resources I've created)

Resilience, Teach

Resilience!  All educators need it.  It can help you press forward in teaching and help you stay motivated and inspired when times are tough in your classroom.

When teaching is frustrating, it's tempting to throw yourself a pity party.  (I know I've thrown my fair share of pity parties.)  However, a better approach is to look outward.  Notice that all educators have gone through similar experiences.  Most importantly, start thinking of others...and you'll soon find yourself feeling fulfilled.  It's strange how that can happen--when you put others first, somehow happiness starts creeping in.

One such example of this is Anne Sullivan. Keep reading, and I give a few more details, but to really get into detail about Anne's incredible life, check out the following links: Book, cartoon, and more

Anne Sullivan is a famous educator.  She taught Helen Keller (who was both blind and deaf) to communicate.  What you may not realize is how defeated Anne Sullivan felt at times--yet she pressed onward.  Anne Sullivan was visually impaired.  She was raised by a single father, who was abusive.  She taught Helen for more than a decade and accompanied her to college to translate/note take. It was not easy--yet she stuck with it.  Talk about resilience!  Anne's teaching has been called miraculous, but it was neither easy nor instantaneous.    

As educators, we all experience discouragement.  But press onward!  You can do it!  Be resilient.  Resiliency is among the most important traits an educator can possess.  So when you're feeling down, keep on going.  Know that we've all been there, and you can do it.  Just put one foot in front of the other.  

If you are looking for more encouragment for teaching, you might enjoy my blog post about the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and how it teaches us that you are making a difference--even if you don't realize it. (Click here to view it.) You might also enjoy just browsing my blog archive to read all the uplifting messages.

As always, hang in there, Teach!
Happy Teaching,
Frank
P.S. If you enjoyed this content, you can receive each post I publish by filling in the "follow by email" box at the top right (on the desktop version of the site)

(Click to see the resources I've created)