Why I (Continue to) Teach!

The other day I posted an article on Facebook that has received a lot of buzz.
It's title, "Why Half of the Nation's New Teachers Can't Leave Fast Enough."

After reading the comments, it's obvious that it's not just the new teachers who are ready to get out.
I have been feeling that way myself, and it has absolutely nothing to do with my students.


I received this message in an email on December 20, 2014.:
Hi This is T. It has been a long time since I have seen you and all the Plv Crew. I am at Del...High School now and am in 9th grade. I have not seen you all in over three years and have been sad that I've gone this long without contacting any of you. You all have had a big impact on my life and now at 14, I realize how much I do miss those times. Time really has flown; I've grown, gone through Middle School, gotten braces, I've been through a lot. I haven't had the time to come by, but I hope I can see you all soon. It's been TOO LONG and would love to catch up with all of you. Have a nice weekend and I hope to talk to you soon. P.S. This is my personal email if you would like to email me back and I am, if you can believe it, I'm 5'8 now.

Then I received this message January 8, 2015, via Facebook:
Happy New Year! My name is T. You were my third grade teacher at P.S.3. I am not sure if you will remember me, because it was so long ago. We are both mutual friends with Ms. T on Facebook.

I am really happy to see you here on Facebook! You have not changed a bit. You were absolutely the best third grade teacher I had! We both moved away from Brooklyn, but I never forgot you. I moved from NY 26 years ago ...where I still live today.
Best Regards,T

I can't even remember the years I taught 3rd grade, I know it was in the 80's though.:)

Tears filled my eyes after reading both these messages. They both came at a time when I needed them. They reminded me that, even with all the mess I have to deal with that has nothing to do with teaching, I will continue to do what I am passionate about, teach!

And while I am teaching, I will keep in mind that I am making a difference!

Teaching: My Passion is Not a Reflection on You!

My teenager said to me, "Mom, do you realize that you are lucky to have your dream job? Most people hate their job".

He's right. I am extremely blessed to be able to do this job for 29 years, and still love it. This is the job I have wanted to do since I was that little girl. That girl, in her friend's basement, attempting to teach the few kids we could scrounge up.

I am passionate about teaching. However, at times, I feel guilty about how much I enjoy it. Not only about how much I enjoy it, but how much time I dedicate to it. I don't mean the guilt I feel when it comes to my husband and/or son. That guilt I feel when I have switched from laptop, to Ipad, to Smartphone, talking to my PLN, searching for "that" lesson. I refer to those who feel that I shouldn't, because they don't. "Don't you have a life?", they ask.

Yes, I do and my passion for education, for teaching, is part of it. I go to the beach, family outings, the movies. I do all the things they feel I should do. But instead of watching reality TV, reading People magazine, or playing a mind-numbing game of Candy Crush, (not that there's anything wrong with that), I choose to blog, tweet, read, comment, on anything and everything about education! 

My passion drives me to not walk into my classroom, and dust off lesson plans from 1998. I will never "teach to the test." I will not give up #5thchat on a Tuesday evening, or the chance to join a webinar on a Saturday. I will not treat the integration of technology as if it is an unspeakable horror. That is not who I am. And in my quest to grow, to prevent stagnation after 29 years, I search, and in searching, I learn. And I take what I learn, and apply it in my classroom.

I don't do it so that I will look better than anyone. I don't do it to impress. I don't do it because someone asked me to. I do it because I choose to. It can't be helped if what I do is recognized, and yes, sometimes, rewarded. I am not going to diminish my light because someone else may feel dim beside me. It is not my intention to make someone seem less than I am.

I do not judge teachers who do not share my passion, to each his/her own. But, my passion motivates me, guides me, drives me, and is evident in my classroom every day. And I don't see anything wrong with that:)

I am an iEducate Delaware finalist! I am being honored for what I do in my classroom to enhance learning.  If you choose to vote for me, click this link!