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Why I became a teacher
Most people will never know my whole, true story. THE story that allowed me to become a teacher. I cannot get all of it in here; but I have been asked when am I going to write a book on my journey…someday, maybe. Some may not want to know it now-that's ok
Most people will never know my whole, true story. THE story that allowed me to become a teacher. I cannot get all of it in here; but I have been asked when am I going to write a book on my journey…someday, maybe. Some may not want to know it now-that's ok
Most won’t know about the depth of trauma I endured at age 3, at the hands of a man who made me feel dirty and worthless. AT AGE 3. Most people will not know that I could read by age 4 and loved to learn. Stick with me, there’s a reason for me sharing this with you.
Most people won’t know the completely silent kindergartner who was always sad. Most people won’t know Mrs. Batali in White Swan Elementary (1968) who was beautiful, clean, smart. She asked us to think about what we wanted to be when we grew up. The clean mattered to a dirty girl
Most people won’t know that I wanted to be beautiful, clean and smart and so I told her in barely a whisper “I want to be a teacher”. I whispered that dream to the universe. AND I never forgot that dream.
Most people won’t know that I essentially dropped out of school in the ninth grade, became pregnant at age 16 and married to an abusive man who said he’d beat me if he ever saw me talking to a man at college (when I went).
Most people won’t know that my dream just about died there on the floor with my blood and the hair he pulled out when he was making me see the error of my ways (staying home, while he cheated on me and then blamed me for cheating on him). So the fear won out that time.
Most people won’t know that I worked about 30 jobs between the age of 26 and 35 trying to find my place—knowing in my heart of hearts that it was in a classroom-never feeling "right" until, one day...
Most people won’t know that at age 41 I started college to become a teacher.
Most people won’t know that at age 41 I started college to become a teacher.
I fast-tracked my Master’s program with independent study and wrote a 348 page book on my tribe. Most people won’t know that when I became a teacher it gave more to this world than “just another teacher” It meant that all the love that was ever invested in me would now be given
That is what becoming a teacher meant to me, to the world. I teach to help each child know they have a voice, a place, a meaning in life.
Most people may not know that teachers LIVE FOR the first day of school. We LIVE FOR seeing our students for the first time that year.
Most people may not know that teachers LIVE FOR the first day of school. We LIVE FOR seeing our students for the first time that year.
We LIVE FOR getting to know those who will seamlessly flow through the year getting straight A’s, we LIVE FOR getting to know who struggle and fear that the struggle is what we see.
Most people know that teachers aren’t in this for the money-we don’t want handouts.
Most people know that teachers aren’t in this for the money-we don’t want handouts.
Most people in America know teachers to be who we are: men and women who lead with our hearts and follow up with all we’ve got. For anyone-Trump-Trump supporters- anyone else to say with a blanket statement that we all need to just go back is a heartless attack on my profession
I want all of my brother and sister teachers to live their fullest lives. Most people wouldn’t know me from anyone; but I am a United States teacher and I cherish my job. I want to return when it is time, not for a political statement by someone who could care less if I died.
