Last Friday, my second child was born. Looking in the eyes of my newborn son reminded me of the incredible responsibility we teachers have each day.
If you’re an elementary school teacher, every school day, twenty to thirty sets of parents entrust their precious, impressionable sons and daughters to your care. They hope their children will learn to be kind and compassionate, that they will be inspired to become lifelong learners, and that they will be well-qualified to work and succeed in an ever-changing global society. They are trusting you to make this all happen.
This is why mediocrity in teaching cannot be tolerated. We, as teachers, must be relentless in our quest to improve our own practice.
Some children, due to a great family situation, will be fine no matter what you do. But for many students:
If you don’t inspire them to love learning, who will?
If you don’t teach them to be kind, caring, and responsible, who will?
If you don’t teach them the importance of always doing their best, who will?
If you don’t find the treasure within them, who will?
Here’s to all of us who spend our lives making a profound impact on today’s youth.
Posted by mpullen 
