Teacher Mom

I don't post about my specific teaching experiences on my blog. I don't believe in doing that. I'm very aware that my blogging is public - any parent, teacher, principal in my life could easily find my blog - and I'm not ashamed of that. They could also look at my Facebook if they wanted to, although some would have a hard time finding it. I live my life out loud. If there's something I'd need to hide, I just don't do it -  not because of my job as much as just because that's who I am. This is why I'm okay with writing this post, knowing full well that it could be read by parents, teachers or principals in my life.

I believe I will make a great teacher.

One of the reasons I believe this is because I'm a mom. Obviously I don't believe that teachers who aren't moms aren't great teachers, but for me personally, becoming a mom has had a profound impact on what kind of teacher I will be. For one, after reading Kelle's post today about down syndrome, it said something that stuck out to me. As a mom, like Kelle, one of the things parents care about most is that the world will accept their child. "To love them, praise them, high five them on the soccer field, compliment their awesome sneakers, invite them to birthday parties, ask them questions and really listen when they reply, pick them for playdates, help them when they’re struggling, teach them when they need it and recognize all the good they have to give the world." (Kelle's words)  

After having a child of my own, I understand that desire more than I ever did before. And as a teacher, I totally get that. Every year I'm teaching, every class and every student is different. Finding the rhythm that works with each unique class will be something I work out each year. One thing that it hasn't ever been difficult for me to do, though, is to find those things I love about people - my students included. Sure, we will have behavior management discussions, I'll have to redirect, discipline and deal with difficulty in my classroom.

What I can guarantee though, as a teacher and as a mom, is that I will be on the student's team. I will be the Captain of the team, but I will be on their team. I will root for them. I will encourage them. I will see the potential in them. I will do everything in my power to make school a positive experience for them. I will make every effort to ensure that students leave my classroom better than they were when they entered it - not only academically, but as a whole person because I believe education is so much more than teaching facts and figures. I will do that by partnering with parents, school personnel and the students themselves. I believe in children. I believe in their potential. I believe in their differences. I believe that every student, no matter their cultural, socio-economic, racial, emotional, mental, or even chromosomal background has beautiful and unique qualities that make them important, relevant and irreplaceable in the world.

I may not understand the specifics of where students are coming from. I may not have walked where they've walked. I may not have seen what they've seen. I may not look at the world the way they look at it. Again, I will do everything in my power to find what shade they view the world in and for as many moments as I can to take a walk in their shoes. I will recognize differences, embrace differences, encourage differences because I believe one of the most important things you can give a child is confidence and an understanding that they have something significant to contribute to their world.

I will make a great teacher. Because I care. Because I see potential. Because I accept students. Because I praise them, encourage them, compliment them.

Because I am a mom.

And when it comes down to it, because I will expect nothing less from my own child's teachers. If my children deserve great teachers, then so do the children who will be in my class.

Teaching is a huge responsibility, but so is motherhood.

I chose both.

I am so proud of both.