The life of a teacher is muftifaceted.
First and foremost we educate; attempting to bring meaning to ideas and concepts that, when our students first came to us, had eluded them.
We are detectives in that we must ascertain the personality of each child we encounter. We must look beyond what we see on paper, seeking to know them as people...yet as people they are changing right before our eyes as they grow and mature.
We are "police-judge-jury" as behaviors of childhood crop up throughout our days; behaviors that naturally exist as children seek power or attention, as they battle insecurities or feel the need for some sort of revenge. The cornerstone of misbehavior falls under one of these categories. We must have keen eyes and ears to witness, use fairness and an open mind while sorting through things, and employ compassion and understanding while giving consequences...all in the while hoping we are teaching the children something along the way.
We console and encourage, striking a balance between reality and nurturing the hopes and dreams of our students. Anything is possible...it's really just a matter of finding the path to get one where they want to go, where they want to be.
Yes, teaching in multifaceted. Yet in all that we do throughout a day, a week, a month, and a school year ties it all together; we hardly notice the distinction between the "roles' we play. It becomes part of who we are, or maybe, who we are becomes part of our teaching. Either way, the rewards of teaching stretch far beyond a paycheck, far beyond the comradery found amongst fellow educators...the rewards are embedded deep within our souls as we watch our students grow and learn; if only for a short, short time of their lives...we watch them becoming who they will ultimately be.
Mr. Casten
June 4, 2014
