For Those Who Read My "Why I Do This" Post, A Coda

[ProfessorGAC]

My last day was yesterday.
As I'm leaving J & M (the school secretaries) hand me a note.
It has a lady's name and a phone number.
It's one of the student's mom & she would like to speak to me.
I'm thinking "Who calls to talk to a sub?" So, I say I'll call her.
But, J&M hand me the phone and say I should call from the school.
Whatever.
I call and mom tells me she wanted to personally thank me, because her son now wants to be serious about science & become an engineer. He came home all 3 of the first days telling his parents about what he learned from Mr C. (He was the kid who told me last Friday he learned more in 2 days than he had all year, if you remember that.)
Anyway, mom was super complimentary & said she's sending an email to the principal & superintendent to thank them for finding me.
These 4 days were originally just going to be 4 out of a couple hundred, but that will never be the case.
Friday & Tuesday made these 4 days the best 4 ever.

[MyOwnPeace]

1. Congrats, Prof!!!!!

That's the beauty of teaching - ONE good day FAR outweighs the lunchroom/hallway BS from all of the other days.

You are sharing the reason SO MANY dedicated, PROFESSIONAL educators keep doing what they do.

[Solly Mack]

2. How great is that?!?!!

Super wonderful feeling isn't it?

[Enter stage left]

3. You sound like a wonderful teacher.

I responded to one of your earlier posts, my mom was the 1st spec ed teacher in Utah, & my sister taught in SLC & Idaho Falls.

Congratulations for opening minds, and lighting fires in these children & young adults.

You are the type of person that can make the younger generation pay attention, and right some of the wrongs that their parents & grandparents have left them.

I would love to meet you someday. You sound like everything I would love in a friend.

[3catwoman3]

4. I remember your previous post. How gratifying.

Kudos to you!

I was a peds NP for 45 years - retired this past March. During that long career, it always felt good when a parent from the pediatric office would tell me how useful a certain bit of information had been. Health teaching was my favorite part of the job.

Who knows how many others this student may someday influence? I liked to tell myself that some child 500 years from now, whom I will obviously never know, may have a better life because of something I taught a parent that helped that person be more comfortable and confident in their parenting, and thereby being a calmer, less anxious parent - better for kids if parents aren't uptight all the time.

[a kennedy]

5. and I'm sure that is your dream of why you became a teacher eh??

YOU ARE THE BEST.

[ProfessorGAC]

19. I'm Not A Real Teacher

I'm just a sub. The real teachers are slugging it out everyday. They have to plan, grade, do PTCS, extracurricular stuff...
I'm just a helper.
But yeah, this was the hope when I got into subbing. If I can get one kid per year who now digs science or finds math isn't as hard as they thought, I've done my piece.
I knocked off more than a handful of kids, getting ready for high school, in 4 days.
Yep, it's pretty gratifying.

[blm]

6. 👏🏽👏🏽

😉

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Well done, ProfessorGAC!!

We never know when what we do changes someone's life for the better. It's lovely you found out. Thanks for sharing this. ❤

[Aussie105]

8. Me? Thankful too!

40 years a classroom teacher, full time.

In all that time, one general to-all-relevant-staff 'thank you!' from a parent. On a postcard, got it's own place on the staffroom display board.

Made my day! A warm glow that lasted a lot longer, actually.

Always promised myself that if I ever slowed down too much as a full time classroom teacher, I'd walk away, not shuffle sideways to a desk if given the opportunity. No other job is as important inside a school as relating to students.

I slowed down. I walked away. No regrets.

My hat off to all those who heed the calling. Respect!

[question everything]

9. It is a pleasure to post the original

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10181586678

[BigmanPigman]

10. Always speak to parents from the school

and have witnesses too. I learned that while I was long term subbing when I started out. The teacher also advised me to always document every phone call and I did. This practice saved my ass many times.

Glad to hear you have had a positive influences on a student! Bravo

[The Polack MSgt]

11. I've stayed in the exercise and training section because of this reaction

When a a Soldier, Sailor, Airmen, or Marine loks up and says - Oh yeah, I get this... It's the best

I can only imagine that the children's reaction would be better

[elleng]

12. 'her son now wants to be serious about science & become an engineer.'

[viva la]

13. That's great!

I resolve to send more "I appreciate' emails to bosses. It can make such a difference, spreading gratitude and kindness.

[calimary]

14. Thank you, ProfessorGAC!

Well done. You had a positive impact.

[PatrickforB]

15. Only a very gifted teacher can make a subject live

in a student's heart.

Well done!

[DENVERPOPS]

25. When I became

an adult, I made a point of finding out the phone numbers of three of my teachers that had retired.

I called each of them, (of course only one remembered me from 20 years before) to tell them what a difference they made in my life and my career choice. I thanked them for being incredibly great teachers, and we all laughed about other teachers in the same school who should never have even been given a teaching certificate.

I am sad to say, that I can't believe anyone goes into either Teaching or Medicine during these times. You are all saints......

[Cousin Dupree]

16. What a huge influence teachers can have

[PatrickforB]

17. One other thought, if you'll permit.

There is a poem of great beauty, which has deeply inspired me. It is Normandi Ellis' translation of the Book of Going Forth by Day. She titled the book, "Awakening Osiris."

I read this each morning before I go off to work. See what you think...

I have seen the great fire of perhaps, the beacon of possibility. I wake in the liquid light of a vision.

May I create words of beauty, houses of wonder. May I live so to make all my days be holy.

May the labor of my hands be mirrors unto God. May I inspire those around me.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Very Cool!

Except for me, the god part.
Other than that, it's inspirational.

[PatrickforB]

21. Yeah, lots of people get hung up on the God part. In spite of the odious and often stupid

antics perpetrated in the name of religion, religion is not God, and it is not Divine.

For myself, while I long ago eschewed organized religion, I have never stopped believing in, and standing in awe of, the great Divine creative force.

But that's just me!

Happy Thanksgiving!

[TheRickles]

24. AA's "Higher Power" is often an effective substitute for "God".

Lovely quote, and lovely story by the good Professor.

[Joinfortmill]

18. Awesome

[cate94]

22. That is wonderful!

I’m so happy for you! It seems so rare that people take the time to compliment, but complaining comes so easily. I’m glad she took the time to reach out, not only to you, but the higher ups! Congrats!

[ProfessorGAC]

23. Over A Substitute Teacher, No Less

I'm just a guy who helps out.
It validates the belief than I'm actually helping.
The only assertive thing I ever do is be in charge, even if there's a regular para or coteacher in there.
If I'm there for the teacher in charge, I'm in charge.
Other than that, I play be the rules.
But, Mon/Tues were unfriendly for golf, so to school I went!

[ProfessorGAC]

27. I Had Few Awful Teachers

Some were stellar, but I can't recall any rotten ones except for a college professor. Long story, not getting into it.
But, since I've been a sub (I retired 3 years ago) I've seen some that I suspect are not good.
But, that's maybe 6 out of the couple hundred teachers I've met.
Clearly, bad, unmotivated teachers are out there, though. True in every field.
I was a scientist. I knew some rotten ones.