Train Your Brain & Build Your Wings

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"You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book." ~Dr. Seuss

The speaker approached the podium and waited for the room to become silent. Three hundred plus educators were gathered on this first day back from summer break, so it took a few minutes for the side conversations to die down. He didn't seem to mind, the older man patient...a former classroom educator, himself. As the last of the chatter fell away, he uttered these words: "Your students next week will remember almost nothing that you teach them. They will, however, remember these two things--a book you read aloud, and how you make them feel about themselves. Most of them will remember those two things for the rest of their lives." He certainly had the full attention of everyone in the room with that! It had been many years since I was a grade school student, but he was absolutely right. As my mind eagerly searched to prove or disprove his stark point, I could easily recall the names of several great books teachers had read to me, like Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume (who became one of my favorite childhood authors). I could also vividly recall the name of a teacher who made me feel horrible and stupid, as well as one who made me believe in myself and want to learn. The speaker prompted us to take a few minutes and share stories with those at our table. We eagerly complied (at least everyone sitting close to me). I was amazed as I listened to the others at my table talk. No matter what age, everyone could recall the details of their own experiences. I was also very frustrated. The prospect of the "meat" of my lessons, the pedagogy I was so determined to get right, being quickly forgotten was disheartening. Why was I killing myself researching and meticulously planning each and every lesson? Carefully aligning them to state standards and ensuring that they were "rigorous" enough? What was the point?

It took several more years of teaching for me to discover that answer. The above district wide meeting took place in my second year of teaching, when I was already wildly overwhelmed with the amount of information there was to know. Now that I'm beginning my eleventh year, I understand that even if my students don't remember the details of what I teach, learning is still taking place. Their brains are being hard-wired on how to problem solve, get along with others, analyze the the world around them, and if I am successful at the job of "teaching", they will grow in knowledge, and be inspired with the curiosity to learn more. That is the academic part of being an educator, but by no means does the story end there. As I step in front of new, learning faces, no matter their age group, my main responsibility is to help them build their wings. I do this by challenging them, loving them, and most of all believing in them so loud, they begin to believe in themselves. When dealing with them I must always check my tone, bite back any harsh words of criticism, and be sure to encourage them every step of the way in whatever task I ask them to do. Finally, I need to read to them. Often. In a way that keeps them hanging on my every word (...which is, for me, the most fun task of all!).

Note: In the classroom, I am strict on teaching my students proper spelling and grammar techniques. As a writer, however, I happily break those rules I know so well with reckless abandon!