Today is National Teacher's Day.
Did you have a favorite teacher?
If you did, maybe it was because of the way they made learning easier, fun, or interesting. Or maybe it was the special way they encouraged you or made the time to show a personal interest in you. Take a moment to reflect back to your own teachers, mentors, professors, and coaches you've had in your life and figure out what it was that made some stand out for you personally. It's valuable information that you can use in your own life.
Not too long ago I read a true story written by a retired teacher. She had received a letter in the mail from one of her former students. It was something like 40 years later, and he had taken the time to do a search to see where she lived and write her. The letter overflowed with his heart-felt thanks and explained in detail how her teaching had changed his entire life for the better. He was sorry he had not told her sooner, and mentioned that.
What "got to me" most about the article though, was not how happy and fulfilled this teacher was to read this most welcome letter. It was her remark than in all the years she had taught, this was the first letter of acknowledgment she had ever received!
Please help me change this so more teachers do get to hear from their students what an amazing impact they have. If there is someone who taught you in any capacity that made a difference in your life, please take time today to reach out and let them know somehow that you appreciated their efforts on your behalf. Try to be specific on what they did that had such a profound effect on your life. If you have several people you can thank for instructing you, please do!
If you have children who are in school please talk with them about what this day means, and ask them how their teacher helps them. If the response is positive, encourage them to thank their teacher and maybe take a little present in to school this week to demonstrate that.
Parents who home school or help their children with their studies, music teachers, driving instructors,and anyone else who helps in the learning process are all teachers too. Let's all start acknowledging these highly important people by letting them know how much what they do is appreciated. We are all both teachers and students in some way.
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The fact is, we wouldn't be able to do ANYTHING if someone hadn't taught us! Teachers Rock! And, because I now have an online biz and use the keyboard constantly, I believe my typing teacher probably should get the most credit at this time for making my life easier! Great post!
ReplyDeleteMartha,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing that once you take time to think about it, a lot of different people have taught you so many things- and in so many ways!
I hope your typing teacher sees your comment somehow. ;)
As I learn more and more about using my voice to build my business and writing great copy for the web, I can't help but think back 39 years ago to the amazing speech teacher I had -- and all the wonderful language arts teachers along the way!
ReplyDeleteToday, Beth, I acknowledge you for sharing this lesson through your message!
Melanie
It's so wonderful that you have a day to stop and acknowledge the work and dedication that teachers put in.
ReplyDeleteHere in the UK we don't have such a day. It would be lovely to start one anyway.
I will give this a lot of thought and spread the word.
When my daughter left primary school last year, she wrote thank you letters to her teachers and they were so heartfelt. I'm sure they will keep them for years.
Melanie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing about your speech teacher and language arts teachers. These responses show me that my intention to spread awareness of how important teachers are to everyone came through in the post.
Heather,
Your daughter sounds like she already is making her own unique difference! That means you are as well since you are her example. :)
Please do spread the word. It would be great if the UK would have a recognition day like that! You could start it right there at your daughter's new school.
I love this quote..."The task of the excellent teacher is to stimulate "apparently ordinary" people to unusual effort. The tough problem is not in identifying winners: it is in making winners out of ordinary people."
ReplyDeleteI can think if a couple of teachers who had a profound affect on my life. I have nothing but admiration for them.
That is a very insightful quote! Thank you for sharing that and also being my newest listed blog follower. :)
ReplyDelete