Happy Birthday Nancy
Today is a special day in our family. It is my wife’s birthday today. I would love to tell you her age but Nancy would probably not like that. I will give you a hint though. She is the same age as me and I am 54.
This has been a different week for our household. I also teach high school math and we had to go back to school this week for teacher in-service. Teaching is one of the most stressful and rewarding professions that I have been involved in.
I graduated from college with degrees in business administration and in teaching. I decided to take the business route when I left college however ten years ago I got this calling to go back and help kids.
I can’t tell you that I have enjoyed teaching everyday but it has been a joyful run. If we could take the politics out of education, teaching would be the most rewarding position I have ever been in.
I lean on the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” and teachers play such a large role in children’s lives. I do take that real seriously and I believe most teachers feel the same way.
We are blessed to be able to work every day your kids. We work extremely hard in not only teaching them our subject matter but also about life.
I am sure everyone of us has fond memories of a teacher. Or has had a teacher that really touched them and sent them on their path in life. I would love to hear about those teachers that were special to you.
When you get a chance take a moment and quietly wish Nancy a happy birthday.
Comment by nancy nelson on 29 August 2008:
that was sweet Mark thank you
Comment by DollarWise on 30 August 2008:
Happy Birthday, Nancy!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Jim Turner on 31 August 2008:
Mark,
Congrats to Nancy on her 54th birtday… looks like she has excellent anti-aging genes.
I applaud you on being a teacher. I’ve never been a teacher, but have worked with kids in after school programs, like Junior Achievement.
Kids can be very challenging and it has to be a calling in order to excell at it. Best to you! Have a fun year.
~Jim
Comment by Mark on 31 August 2008:
There are times I feel it is a calling and then there are times I wonder what I was called to.
The kids are great.
Comment by Rebecca on 27 September 2008:
That is great Mark,
I beleive that the real call to being a great teacher is a vocational call. My experience today as I guide my kids through the system is that there are not too many people there for the love of the profession. When you do find one however, the kids know it right off and respond accordingly. The desire to particpate becomes a driving force you can actually feel in the classroom.
Last year we had a disaster of a teacher who ended up being sick for more than half the year. The kids got stuck with subs daily for 12 weeks and then on and off until the new principal was made aware of the situation. He interviewed extensively until he found a pearl who could stay for 10 weeks in a row. This teacher on the very first day walked into the classroom of the smartest kids in their grade who were told by at least a dozen different teachers that they were horrible and intolerable, and asked them to make a list of their greatest qualities. The lists grew as they looked over each other shoulders and came up with new ideas. My daughter, One of the top two in the class came home happy that day after coming home for weeks crying.
I found that out the same day I went in to see the principal to ask for a class change and decided to give her a try. Great teacher!. The kids made a petition to keep her when the regular class teacher was to come back another 10 weeks later. They knew she loved them and was there to call out their best rather than demolish them by their faults.
Rebecca