by Alaina
In a recent InterACT blog post, Kelly Kovacic gave a 90 second summary of why she teaches. In solidarity, bloggers in Washington and Arizona are posting blogs to pay tribute to why each of us teaches.
Why do I teach?
The scope is large; I teach for thousands of beautifully articulated moments - and – millions more unspoken ones. As my students launch into a poetry unit to participate in the Poetry Out Loud program, I can't think of a better way to pay tribute to why I teach than in poetic form.
So here goes:
Pre-service teacher
I was.
Delivered unto a place
where magic happens.
Yoda-like Mentor says,
"As you greet students at classroom door,
do your eyes light up when you see them?"
Got me thinking.
And greeting.
EVERY day. EVERY class period.
8 years now.
Giver-of-Band-Aids, Giver-of-Hugs, Giver-of-Confidence
I am.
Lifter-of-Spirits, Empowerment-of-Thinkers, Creator-of-Scholars
I am.
Giver of assessments and benchmark grades?
That too.
Every teaching cliche: I am.
Every apple-embroidered vest and denim skirt: I am
Every student desiring a free, public education:
I teach.
Eyes sparkle and face lights up -
with students in my life.
I could go on for hours about why I teach. I'm more interested, however, in what makes YOU sparkle. What makes your face light up?
