Giving Thanks

Please allow me to take a deep breath and exhale slowly to release all tension developed from the heavy amount of stress endured from the start of my venture as a teaching novice to becoming a legitimate student teacher. I find myself letting out a slight chuckle whenever I reminisce about those caffeine-infused, sleepless nights I've withstood due to those dreaded FERs (Field Experience Research). My heart used to write uncontrollably at the mere thought of teaching a ten minute lesson, but now I've developed a sense of comfort and satisfaction standing in the front of a classroom. From the rambunctious little six graders to the swagged out high school juniors, I've always responded with a smile across my face and my tie cinched in a tight Windsor knot.

In accordance with the holidays, I consider it fitting to be thankful for all the individuals who've supported my progress as a future educator. From my warm and devoted university supervisor to the wacky classmates I've come to call my family, I cannot express my endless amount of gratitude in helping me to discover my teaching potential. Yet, I feel that there are some people I'm disregarding.

My students.

In the past, I've scanned hundreds of pages encompassing theoretical teaching knowledge while constructing plenty of essays in reference to adolescent literacy. Though I value all the textbook knowledge obtained in this past year, actually being in the classroom and establishing a rapport with the many students I've encountered has elevated me to the educator I am today. They've taught me how to deliver lessons in ways that are both meaningful and relevant to their personal needs. I've observed them and gained insight on the benefits of being both compassionate and patient. I know that I've done something right the day I received piles of hand-written thank you cards upon leaving for another placement. So for Thanksgiving, what can I do that provides more than a little sugar rush for my current 8th Grade Language Arts students?

Well, I've decided to thank each and every one of them with personalized, hand-written notes. I've grown quite attached to these particular students and I value what each one has offered to me in my professional development. Each of these notes will include my appreciation of their hard work in the classroom, but also gratitude in allowing me to establish those personal connections. Whether they've demonstrated critical thinking skills during my lessons or have simply made me laugh on a bad day, I want each of them to know how much they've impacted me. I've heard that a good teacher can make the biggest difference in a student, but I wouldn't be the educator I am now without those amazing students.

Forget what I said about the sugar rush; I'm still giving them candy with those notes. CANDY!


"What is wonderful about great literature is that it transforms the man who reads it towards the condition of the man who wrote it."
-E.M. Forster