Understanding
Today I woke up late and did my daily postsecret rounds and went to go tutor the MHS kids in American History. After that, I helped my peers out in Space Exploration and now I'm sitting here, disheartened over the Dolphins but realizing something.
I enjoy teaching people. I mean, I used to say that I was going to be a HS teacher because I really didn't know what else to do. What else *can* one do with a degree in History? But I came to the realization today that I just enjoy doing it. I love seeing the light come on when I tell them something they didn't know.
I've had so many teachers be the parents that I didn't have; Miss Lofton telling me I can be anything I want in Kindergarten, Mrs. Johnson reminding me that somethings matter more than grades in Middle School, Mr. Diaz showing me more about music and myself in High School, Mr. Haynes listening to my fears and telling me the truth about everything, Colonel Davis giving me the courage to conquer anything I come up against, Dr. Taylor for reminding me about the world and all that it holds, and Dr. Ruane for putting the life back into what I love and his advice.
All of them touched my life in the most amazing way. And I owe them more than I could possibly give and express. They've been father and mother figures, wardens, and beacons of light in the always twisting and mostly dark of my life.
And I know, know deep in my heart that there's kids out there like me, that could've just fallen by the wayside but something, someone touched their lives and made them better people. I want to be that person to help, to return the cosmic favor to another, to keep the good karma going, whatever you call it. So I no longer say, "I'm going to be a teacher" with a bit of resignation--no, I'm saying it with pride goddamnit. Because to quote Christa McAuliffe: "I touch the future. I teach."
It's the best way I could say thank you to all of those above.
I enjoy teaching people. I mean, I used to say that I was going to be a HS teacher because I really didn't know what else to do. What else *can* one do with a degree in History? But I came to the realization today that I just enjoy doing it. I love seeing the light come on when I tell them something they didn't know.
I've had so many teachers be the parents that I didn't have; Miss Lofton telling me I can be anything I want in Kindergarten, Mrs. Johnson reminding me that somethings matter more than grades in Middle School, Mr. Diaz showing me more about music and myself in High School, Mr. Haynes listening to my fears and telling me the truth about everything, Colonel Davis giving me the courage to conquer anything I come up against, Dr. Taylor for reminding me about the world and all that it holds, and Dr. Ruane for putting the life back into what I love and his advice.
All of them touched my life in the most amazing way. And I owe them more than I could possibly give and express. They've been father and mother figures, wardens, and beacons of light in the always twisting and mostly dark of my life.
And I know, know deep in my heart that there's kids out there like me, that could've just fallen by the wayside but something, someone touched their lives and made them better people. I want to be that person to help, to return the cosmic favor to another, to keep the good karma going, whatever you call it. So I no longer say, "I'm going to be a teacher" with a bit of resignation--no, I'm saying it with pride goddamnit. Because to quote Christa McAuliffe: "I touch the future. I teach."
It's the best way I could say thank you to all of those above.