Learning to do, by Living to Serve

 

 

 

"A good teacher is like a candle- it consumes itself to light the way for others"

-Mustafa Kemal Ataturk

 

One of the reasons I love what I do is because I know that teaching makes a difference. This week was such a packed week that had me joining a faculty meeting on my phone in a van full of students as we headed to Harrisburg. It had me running hundreds of coats back and forth with my students at the Governor's Inaugural Ball until after 11pm that night. It was a week that I had dinner with Mr. Clark and his family, after his helping me get a new tire for my truck the day before. It was a week I wrecked my truck into a ditch after sliding on ice and Krista and her family came to my side. We spent the night digging it out until 2 am, and were saved by the 2 hour delay the next morning. We finished the week off with a retirement breakfast for the receptionist in the high school office, Cindy in Mr. Clark's room before school started, and I picked up KP's food science class that day as well.

 

This has been one of the craziest weeks of my life. I was tired and sore and felt like I crawled through Friday after my wreck with what was left of my physical and mental health (I wish someone would have told me about the back pain). My students went through the week just like any other, but I felt like I was doing everything I could to hold on until Friday. Despite all that I faced this week, I only had a small taste of what a fulltime ag teacher does, and I am coming to understand how much this profession demands.

 

What I learned this week, after all we went through to be the best teachers and advisors we could be, was that teaching is a profession of service. Krista and Mike were so supportive of me, and helped me through so much this week. I'm sure they had no idea how much of a wild card they were dealt, but nevertheless they truly went above and beyond the call of duty. They were a perfect example of what it takes to be a service leader, and gave everything they had for their students and myself. Before each class, they set aside a few minuets while the students get their materials to chat with them and ask them about the things that interest them. They invest in the small acts of kindness, and always ensure that each student in each class is seen and heard. 

 

Compassion first, content second is the golden rule for Mike and Krista. I've learned it doesn't matter what titles we hold, or places we've been or number of students we teach. It's about how we make others feel, and what example we set for our students. Even when it's been a long and tiring week, and all we want is to be negative and down on our spirits, our students only got to see us smiling and ready to roll. Some days I feel like I'm doing everything I can just to hold on, and Friday sees me sliding in with whatever is left of my sanity, but I stay strong and hold on. That's what it takes, and that's what I'm learning to give after this week.