Whom do we remember most from the days we were students? Who made the most
difference in our lives? Who left the most indelible imprint on our soul? Really! Who?
The brilliant lecturer? I doubt it. The great tester and grader? That I really doubt!
The scholarship of renown scholar? You think? Or, do we always--always--remember most
that teacher who truly cared about us as a sacred individual too valuable to let fall
through the cracks, who noticed us, who understood us, who was patient with us, who tended
to us, who believed in us when we didn't, who supported us when we staggered, who uplifted
us when we were low, who had faith in us when we faltered, who never gave up on us, who
offered us hope, who enriched our lives when we felt poorly, who fired our spirit with
such an intensity that the impurities of impossibilities were burned away, whose humanity
touched our humanity? I had one such teacher, a history professor at Adelphi, Birdsal
Viault. In the long run, I wouldn't be where I am, and even who I am, if it weren't for
him.
Don't forget your Maya Angelou. She said, “People will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Oh, how right she is. We never forget our most supporting, encouraging, edifying, and
inspiring teachers--or the ones who discouraged and humiliated us. Don't ever forget that
your passing words and small gestures can have a lifelong impact on students as those of
your teachers had on you. We sometimes, too often, forget the depth of this impact unless
we consciously reflect upon our own experiences as students and the memories we still
carry of our teachers years later.
So, I ask you, as each day I ask myself, "Do you use your own indelible school
memories to guide your attitude is toward students and what you do with your students?"
"Do you inject into your attitude towards students and into what you do in the classroom
those experiences you had with a teacher that enhanced your self-esteem, self-confidence,
and motivation as a student?" "Are you sensitive to those unkind and negative experiences
you had with a teacher and use your memory of them to be careful not to say or do things
with your students that were hurtful to you when you were a student?"
Education's greatest need is for a lot more teachers who live rather than merely
mouth their care for and faith in each student. Education's greatest need is for a lot
more heroic teachers. What do I mean by "heroic teachers?" Someone once said that the
measure of a hero is not only in her or his achievements, but in the size of her or his
heart. So, it is in academics. The measure of a "heroic teacher" is not only in the
length of her or his resume, but in the size of her or his heart; not only in her or his
dedication to her or his discipline, but to each and every student as well. The more each
of us can focus on the wonders of each student, the less taste we have to weed them out.
Don't ever--ever--underestimate the staying power of a kindly attitude, a compassionate
spirit, and an empathetic heart. They are the best teaching tools you have at your
disposal. It's at the heart of a true heartfelt teacher, for when a teacher puts her or
his voice close to her or his heart, it's hard for anyone not to listen.
Make it a good day.
--Louis--
Louis Schmier http://therandomthoughts.edublogs.org/
Department of History http://www.newforums.com/Auth_L_Schmier.asp
Valdosta State University www. halcyon.com/arborhts/louis.html
Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\
(229-333-5947) /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__/\ \/\
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/\"If you want to climb mountains,\ /\
_ / \ don't practice on mole hills" -
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