I am very excited to announce that I will be teaching Biology and Spanish to High School students starting next month for the 2013/2014 school year! It's surreal to think that I will have a hand in molding the minds of these young men and young women. I know many of the students on my roll. They are very smart and will definitely keep me on my toes. The biggest question on my mind is this: what defines a good teacher, and can I live up to my own expectations?
To me, teaching is a passion. I have taught kids as young as preschool all the way up to adults. I have given workshops to large groups and have enjoyed seeing those lightbulbs go off as people understand different concepts. The biggest compliment for a teacher is seeing her students succeed. That is always the ultimate goal. That is the reason that I take this job very seriously.
So, what defines a good teacher? A good teacher will be patient, kind, knowledgable, flexible, and humble. A good teacher will create an environment where the students feel like they can ask any question without judgment. A good teacher will know that she doesn't always have all the answers, but will go out of her way to find them. A good teacher will be prepared. A good teacher will rejoice in the success of her students, and lift up those who may be struggling. A good teacher will try to be a good role model. A good teacher will admit when she is wrong. A good teacher will seek out new ways to teach and reach out to her students. A good teacher will do all of this and say to herself, "What more can I do?"
All I know is that I will be kneeling in prayer more often this upcoming school year. There will be fourteen more names on my mind each night that I will add to the four that I love very dearly. I know that with Heavenly Father's help I can be a good teacher.
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Have you hugged a teacher today?
She just might need it!
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