When we hope to understand others and solve problems with respect and compassion we must walk in their shoes.
Each day, teachers across the country do more than deliver lessons in basic subjects. Educators strive to know the whole child and guide children to be lifelong learners who contribute to their communities. Teachers look out across classrooms to see who needs breakfast, warm clothes to wear, or a moment to be seen and heard. Quality education is about supporting the whole child and providing a varied and developmentally appropriate learning experience.
My colleagues and I have been called a "special interest group" looking out for ourselves and not the good of our students. But, when I look down the hallways and into the classrooms of our school I see teachers going the extra mile for our students. I see teachers who give up their lunchtimes to help students to understand a concept, spend their own money on supplies and food for students, and teach with energy and enthusiasm for their subject. I see teachers who are asking their students to think and speak up.
We want our students to stand up for what they feel is right. When they see someone in need of a smile or a hand, we want them to offer one. Kids learn more by watching what we do than listening to what we say. So, between our two weeks of state testing I will be walking to our state capital to deliver messages from our students about what they need as learners.
Each day, teachers across the country do more than deliver lessons in basic subjects. Educators strive to know the whole child and guide children to be lifelong learners who contribute to their communities. Teachers look out across classrooms to see who needs breakfast, warm clothes to wear, or a moment to be seen and heard. Quality education is about supporting the whole child and providing a varied and developmentally appropriate learning experience.
My colleagues and I have been called a "special interest group" looking out for ourselves and not the good of our students. But, when I look down the hallways and into the classrooms of our school I see teachers going the extra mile for our students. I see teachers who give up their lunchtimes to help students to understand a concept, spend their own money on supplies and food for students, and teach with energy and enthusiasm for their subject. I see teachers who are asking their students to think and speak up.
We want our students to stand up for what they feel is right. When they see someone in need of a smile or a hand, we want them to offer one. Kids learn more by watching what we do than listening to what we say. So, between our two weeks of state testing I will be walking to our state capital to deliver messages from our students about what they need as learners.