Teachers

Today it's all about teachers. Forget the conversation a bunch of us had a few weeks ago, when we challenged each other to name all our teachers, and I could do it (with the exception of some of my middle school teachers- traumatic time in my life). I know it's easy to say I am biased, because I am one, but teachers really do rock. Some of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life are teachers. And not to detract from untraditional forms of teaching, but I'm talking about real teachers. Teachers who have given their lives and careers, and their everyday to teaching.

It started at my own school today. I walked around (okay, maybe ran around) my building as I often do, and I was struck by the sound. It was the sound of learning. Sound of learning? You're thinking. Let me assure you, there is a sound.  And I work in a school for at-promise girls. Admittedly, this means we often deal with struggling learners, apathetic students, less than ideal classroom circumstances. But despite what you might think, it is not the absence of sound that tickled me today. It is not silence.  It's the sound students and teachers make when they are engaging in an interactive learning exchange. There's chatter and giggles, and inquisitiveness and discussion. The sounds are accompanied by a quiet undertone in the hallways because students are in their rooms engaged, and not trying to escape the classrooms. It was truly wonderful, and the sign of dedicated, caring, and skilled teachers. And these teachers stick around through the hard days and the difficult classes, because they know at anytime there could be a day like this right around the corner!

A little later I got a text message from my son. It was a Facebook link, so I was a bit skeptical of how he was spending his time this afternoon. Then, I opened it. He, his teacher, and his class were featured in a school district video about the Journeyman Networking course he's in. As proud as was to hear him represent the group, I realize dhow articulate he is about his field of interest. Granted, some of that is self-directed out-of-school research and learning he does on his own, but a lot of it is from the fantastic teachers he has at his school. Sometimes looked down upon by people in the area because of the location (it's not far from the Fort Myers night club shooting that made national news this summer), the school is widely under-recognized and under appreciated for the outstanding programming and dedicated and professional teachers who work there.

There is no shortage of great teachers at Dunbar High School, but the technology teachers my son has had in his four years are over the top fantastic. One of them has the skills, knowledge, and credentials to work directly for Microsoft, but he chooses instead to teach high school kids about the world of technology. I don't know for sure, but I'd bet almost anything he'd make a lot more money working for Bill Gates. And the other is not only a phenomenal and relatable teacher, he is an active duty reservist for the U.S. Air Force. The principal, who is also fantastic, supports this teacher's military career and provides a sub when he is called away on military duty. The teachers are phenomenal at what they do. They truly are all about the kids, and they are solid role models for the kids they serve.

As a teacher, you always know a lot of great teachers- people you've worked with, people who become your friends. But when you recognize your own kid's teachers are wonderful, that just warms your mom-teacher heart. Today, I am celebrating teachers- not because it's a day on the calendar someone says I should- just because there are so many great ones out there. This morning I saw a post on a former teammate's Facebook page. A parent of two of her former students posted a thank you to her. She attributed the success her daughters are having in high school, at least in part, to the time they spent with her in 4th and 5th grade. I wish more parents would do this. I know a lot of them think it and tell their friends, but it can have high impact on a teacher, especially on a day or at a time they might need to hear it most.

Thank a teacher today!