First Week Back

Today was the first week back to school after Christmas Break. You want to talk about a crazy week; this one exemplified all expectations of that. While I love teaching and believe that this gift was from God, I struggled this week with motivation.

It wasn't that I was unmotivated to teach history. If there is one thing I love more than anything in this world, it is History. However, students are always challenging your patience, the use of new technology is overwhelming, and their lack of drive to be educate can be disappointing. History isn't everyone's cup of tea. I understood this as a high school student, just as much as being an educator. The scary/frustrating part for me is that these students don't have any passion for learning.

This week started out pretty good, Mondays are always the hardest. I was exhausted after school and found myself falling asleep while sitting on my couch at 4:30pm. Tuesday proved to be a little more challenging but I thought I survived the day intact as best as possible. The hardship came that afternoon when a student struggling with life took their frustration out on me. I handled it as best as I could and felt I made a difference as this student walked out my door.

It's extremely hard though as a teacher. I find that the only way to be a great educator is to find ways to create personal relationships with my students. I am not just a teacher as I enter those school doors every day. I become a mentor, coach, counselor, parent, advice giver, cheerleader, and so many others. For those that think education is an easy job or a fall back job, they would be wrong. You truly have to have a passion for students and the subject you teach. Without both of these passions, your success as a teacher and for your career every day, will not exist.

My students push me to my limits each day and challenge me constantly to be a better person and educator. I am proud of my students each though I struggle with their quirks and issues every day. Sometimes I have to remind myself that they are not perfect and are students! I must be the one to continuously reminding and encouraging them to be better students and people.

I am blessed with the job I have and couldn't ask for a better one, even though I question my abilities every now and then. God is constantly helping to remind me to have courage and do the job He has given me to the best of my ability. I am nothing without God.