Pave the Road

The Teaching profession is not for the faint of heart nor is it an easy job.  Many have gone before us and provided us a road map that may lead us to a goal but not every map leads us to our goal.  Every teacher has reflected upon those that made a difference in their life and we often want to emulate what we have seen or experienced.  This is a great goal but doesn't get us to our own goal of effecting the students we teach.   We must find our own path that leads to success.  I have often thought of the many different teachers that prepared me for this task and wondered what makes them great.  The only answer I can think of is they love teaching but most importantly the love the students.

Teaching is not an easy job.  We will face disappointment, heart break, and sorrow along our way but we will ultimately find satisfaction in knowing that we can and do make a difference in the lives of our students.  We are paving the way for the future CEO, fathers, mothers, presidents, inventors, and protectors of our nation and world.  We can and will make a difference whether good or bad we will make a difference.  Every student is different.  Every life is different.  We can not assume that if we plan a lesson it will be received the same by each student.  If there is one thing that we need to know its that we must be willing to adjust, adapt, and differentiate for our students based upon their needs.  If we had the time we would teach every student their own lesson but that not reasonable.  We can and should make accommodation and adjustments for the one who needs it.  That is the definition of caring.  Love your students enough to help them succeed.

Teaching is caring.
Teaching is hard work.
Teaching is love.
Teaching is long nights.
Teaching is worth every ounce of sweat and tears that come.
Teaching is a worthy and honorable calling.
Teaching is Differentiation

Pave the road for every student not just the ones that fit in a tidy mold.  It will change their life and yours at the same time.