I have contemplated three versions of this essay about “what teaching means to me.” First, I took my standard philosophy I share with my families each year. It states in part: “In order to be successful, I create an environment conducive to learning, have efficient management, view each child as an individual, form a web of partnerships, and immerse myself in professional development. Even after 20 years, I am constantly learning, growing, and re-evaluating what I do daily." The core of it rings true, but for some reason felt too typical.
Next, I thought about how teaching is not a career, but a passion of mine. In this case teaching means some degree of sacrifice and compromise. I am doing something that I Iove, but also juggling being a good wife, a good mother to two children, a good daughter to elderly parents, a good sister, and a good friend. This reassures that I am teaching from the heart. I show up every day for my students because I want to be there.
Then, I reflected on what teaching means to me in this particular year, in a pandemic, and the words flexibility and dedication came to mind. I speak for all teachers, we have been asked to go above and beyond. This year I have been asked to do many things out of my comfort zone. I have risen to the challenge. Teaching means being flexible and dedicated enough to create a nurturing space where children can blossom and flourish despite trying times.
Finally, I realized the common thread in all these ideas is that the heart of this profession will always be the same, to teach and love the children. Not every day is easy, but I truly enjoy being a teacher and helping children become lifetime learners.
