My principal Debbie Barnes gave us all an activity to do one day at a staff meeting about 4 year ago. She gave us a piece of paper with a question, What do you remember about your best/favorite teacher? Describe your favorite/best teacher. Or something like that…
I made the list and was enamored with it, recognizing its importance, and hung it in a place where I see it each day (by my computer) so that I can be reminded that it is my job first and foremost, before I teach Spanish, I must make my students feel the way my favorite teacher made me feel. They need to feel good, safe, smart, comfortable, special and loved to name just a few.
In that same staff meeting, she gave us this quote from Haim G. Ginott
Most important quote for me to see EVERY DAY!
This quote has been so important in my teaching career. I cannot really express its importance in words. When I think about how much power a teacher really has, it is mind-boggling! I use this quote every day to help my students feel the same way my favorite teacher(s) (there were more than one) made me feel each day as I was around them.
People. People important to you, people unimportant to you cross your life, touch it with love or carelessness and move on. There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why you ever came into contact with them. There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of remorse and wonder why they had to go away and leave such a gaping hole. Children leave parents, parent leave friends. Acquaintances move on. Friends love and move on. You think of the many who have moved into your hazy memory. You look on those present and wonder.
I believe this is all part of a master plan. People move in and out of our lives, and each leaves his mark on the other. You find you are made up of bits and pieces of all who ever touched your life, and you are more because of it, and you would be less if they had not touched you.
So far this is who I know that I am...
PS
I am a Spanish teacher (lucky enough to teach grade K-8!) living in the Chicago area. I am a yoga alliance registered and certified yoga instructor. I am pursuing MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) certification and simply happy to be alive to write this and share with others.
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5 thoughts on “The Power of a Teacher”
I identify strongly with this quote too(and not because he was once a teacher in Israel!) !
I loved this post Lauren. I know you take the time to make each of your students feel loved, important and appreciated. They are so lucky to have you. Man, reading this though actually made me miss teaching at BB. Maybe one day I’ll go back to it. Tell all the rippers hello from Mrs. Walker!
Be the change... 
I identify strongly with this quote too(and not because he was once a teacher in Israel!) !
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Isn’t it powerful? I find it to be so true. If I am having a bad day, I really have to keep myself in check.
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I loved this post Lauren. I know you take the time to make each of your students feel loved, important and appreciated. They are so lucky to have you. Man, reading this though actually made me miss teaching at BB. Maybe one day I’ll go back to it. Tell all the rippers hello from Mrs. Walker!
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I told the rippers hello. Miss you Laura! Thanks for reading!
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