All we are is dust in the wind.
It’s a tough fact to face, but the words we write on our blog, the mighty effort we put into teaching and collaborating and learning every day will fade. We’d all like to think that our words will live on forever and for that special few, they may. But for the rest of us, what will remain are the personal moments. The times when we moved beyond our official roles as teachers and shared a little of our personal selves. The secret portal into what makes us passionate educators who stretch beyond.
With that spirit, I join Sharon Elin and a host of other educators who are participating in the “7 Things Meme.” It’s a chance for us to learn a little more about one another. A chance to know more than we can learn in 140 character bites or topic oriented blog posts.
Here goes.
One. At the age of 16, I left home. Many call it running away, but to me that conjures up visions of sneaking off into the night to sulk. When I left, I knew there’d be no turning back.
Two. I owe much of my success in life to Gladys and Gene. At the age of 17, I was offered a place to stay by the family of a friend. They had seven children of their own and thinking of it now, I have no idea if I could have done the same and opened my door to a stranger. But they did. They helped me get my first job, helped me re-enroll in school and housed me for the next several years of my life as I graduated high school and started college.
Three. My husband has been my best friend since I was 16. That friend I moved in with, you see, is now my husband. I shared a room with his sisters and learned what it was like to live within a family of people who cared deeply for one another.
Four. My teaching philosophy is shaped largely by what I learned when I re-enrolled in school. After missing almost an entire quarter of classes, there was no possible way I could pass without some intervention. I learned there are three types of teachers:
- Those who say it’s not their problem if you missed the assignment and give you a failing grade. I didn’t learn anything from these teachers.
- Those who say it’s not your fault and excuse you from every assignment so you can pass. While I was grateful, I didn’t learn much here either.
- Those who admit life’s tough, but then look for a way to make it better. These were the teachers who taught me the most. They expected me to be accountable for learning, but gave the the chance to learn and catch up as best I could.
Five. I believe in seeing the best in every situation. I don’t believe in dwelling on the mistakes or the problems or the things I can’t control. Life’s too short and too full of opportunities to spend it worrying or wishing for something I don’t have.
Six. I believe in seeing the best in every person. I am constantly amazed at what my students are capable of doing if they’re just given time, attention and a little bit of care.
Seven. I love grits for supper - plain with a little butter and pepper. (You didn’t think all 7 would be deep and meaningful did you?)
That’s it.
I tag:
Bud Hunt, who must begin his post with the sentence “It was a dark and stormy night.”
Entries (RSS)
January 7th, 2009 at 12:55 am
This made a nice capper to my evening blog reading. I particularly liked what ypu say you learned in point number four. I would like to make note of those and pass them on to some teachers and administrators I know, not because they are earth shattering ideas, but because they need to be said and to be reviewed more often. As for grits… never had the pleasure.
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January 7th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Wow and wow again! There is such a huge serendipity to unfortunate circumstances, and only some people figure that out and jump on the opportunities. You learned that resilience at a young age and it enhanced the rest of your life. I’ve always believed that teachers who had led a squeaky-clean life are at a disadvantage when working with students, especially with at-risk students who may be facing life’s problems beyond the classroom.
It was coincidental that you like grits, because I use the word “gritty” to describe the kind of teacher that can recognize, connect with, and help transform students that otherwise would be dismissed or shuffled to the back of the room. I believe teachers need worldly experience in order to have true compassion. Good teachers have grit, not just polish, and you have both.
Thanks for sharing!
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January 11th, 2009 at 10:24 am
I’ve enjoyed reading many “7 Things” blog posts, often through the serendipity of my linking from other posts. Yours hit me on a different level. I have pondered what I would write were I ever tagged but wanted to protect the really heartfelt parts of my life, thinking they would not be appreciated. Your post shows me that honesty, even with things as personal as this, help to create the whole image of a person and explains much of how we came to be the people we are.
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January 16th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
That is some list!
It looks like the pressure is on. I’ll try to do something at least semi-decent.
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February 1st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
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