Teacher: More Than a Profession

I am blessed to say that I am one of thousands of teachers in the United States. I enjoy my profession thoroughly as I find it joyous going to school every day. I, like my parents, believe that teaching is a calling. Many would argue that it takes a special kind of person to be a teacher. However, all of us are teachers, it is merely up to each of us to embrace this life long opportunity or to squander it. Children having many needs and unfortunately because of the nuclear family suffering in existence in the US as well as a multitude of individual circumstances, our children are entering schools and need more than the traditional teacher of 50 years ago. Today, teachers, the good ones challenge young minds, inspire their students, help them to find and live out their passions and provide motherly and fatherly type of guidance and love. There is no doubt that some children's lives are drastically changed because of a teacher who helped them in more ways than merely academics. All of us are teachers because all of us are also life long learners. Each and very one of us knows someone that we have taught to do something. Many of us think nothing of this and we do not realize tr impact we have on other people when we take time out of our busy lives to help someone and teach them to do something. I can think of dozens of people in my life who do not have a masters degree in education and have never been in front of a classroom, but who have taught me some extraordinary things in life. My grandparents come to mind as they teach me daily, both directly and many times indirectly. They have taught me how to save money through a system of envelopes for example. They have also taught me what it means to be committed, honest, loving, and respectful to one's spouse through their remarkable example of 50 years of marriage. They are teachers and you are as well. It is our duty as Chrisitan brothers and sisters to reach out to those in need of our help and teaching. We all have special gifts and talents to share and by using these we can teach others, this bettering our world. I encourage you to reflect on the school teacher who made the greatest impact on you during your academic career as well as those who taught you things outside of the classroom. My guess is that you did not know everything or figure it all out on your own. Someone taught you and empires you with knowledge. It is your turn to continue to share what you know and have to offer to empower others. My great grandfather lived to 103 years young and I am a firm believer that he was as much teacher as he was student in his lifetime. I have not met many people who had such a great thirst for knowledge. What I remember most fondly is that he always told me, "Get a good education. Education is the most important thing." I agree with what he said to me and I also have. One to realize that we must be conscious of the fact that we must share our knowledge with others by teaching them and listen to our neighbors who can teach us so much.