Note: This post was originally published January 2021.
This blog originally started to share educational resources. Although this post is not about an educational resource, it is about education and the encouragement all educators need right now…
Just last week, I told my husband that I thought what I do just doesn’t matter anymore. Is there really any impact I make on students? Does it matter I even teach about media bias or civil disobedience when turmoil is in the news everyday? Does it really matter that I teach about the dangers of the national debt when so many don’t think anything about $3 Trillion spent here or $2 Trillion spent there… as if there are no costs to the choices being made? Last week, I literally was like “why does it even matter anymore.” Then, last night, I received an email from one of my virtual students, thanking me for teaching her not only economics but life lessons that she can carry with her in the future, that in all her years in school, I will be one she never forgets. I am not telling you this to put attention on me; I am telling you this because although we may not tangibly see the difference we make, it matters!
Rewind to September 2020… School started with me teaching four traditional classes and two virtual classes. These two virtual classes did not just include students at my school but students across the four school zones in my school district. Without giving specifics, the administrative aspect of the virtual classes (attendance, grading, etc.) added a ridiculous level of stress that is hard to even explain. The amount of make up work from these classes overwhelmed me. I hated it! I dreaded it! I wanted to cry every B-day, knowing I had to teach these two virtual classes. However, I knew God placed me in this position, teaching these classes for a reason I could not understand. Although I struggled with the classes (emotionally), I never allowed my emotions to treat the class any differently than how I would teach my face to face students. They all did the same thing; they all were engaged in the same discussions; they all received the same resources and level of help offered. I showed grace when grace was needed, but I also held them accountable when accountability was needed. Who would have thought, that after 21 years of teaching, that it would be a VIRTUAL student to send the sweetest email to me thanking me for what I taught her.
Rewind to August 2020… I received news that one of the sweetest former classmates of mine passed away from Covid. He was one of the most beloved classmates from my hometown. Not only was this news devastating for his wife, his family, his friends, but it was devastating to all the students whose lives he impacted. You see, it may be easy to say that Nacoma James was a teacher and coach that impacted lives but he was more than that – he was a mentor and friend to everyone! His smile would light up a room. The last time I saw him, he and my cousin (at same school) were at my high school for a playoff football game. Although it was very cold that night and I was going to stream the game from home, I drove up to my school to talk to him and my cousin. I had not seen him in years but it was as if we picked right back up where we left off. I am so blessed that I got to talk with him that day. When I heard of his death, I squalled. Everyone did! We were devastated. I knew then, I wanted to create a senior scholarship (at his school) dedicated in his memory. I just got off the phone with his precious wife. The scholarship’s name will be “Be Kind Like Coach” scholarship. Why? Because kindness exemplifies what his life stood for, always placing others above himself…being a friend to everyone…being a mentor to all.
Last week, I questioned why I do what I do and if any of it really matters. We allow society to tell us that we are only successful if there are tangible awards or recognition attached to what we do. However, upon much reflection, awards and recognition only matter for a moment in time; what carries a lasting impression is the difference a kind word or act can make in a person’s life. Sometimes, kindness may be just saying a student’s name (I read a few years ago that some students go all day without anyone saying their name). Sometimes, kindness is giving discipline to a student when it is needed (as many say, students crave discipline/structure). Although students may not see that as kindness, one day they will see that you cared enough to know that discipline was needed. Kindness may be just emailing a parent to say how much you enjoy teaching their child (I don’t do this enough but I try every now and then…if you have not done this, do it!). Kindness is not only being sweet and doing good things. In education, kindness may entail giving advice when a student does not want to hear it and showing “tough love.” Kindness does not entail a “one size fits all” approach. When I read my student’s words last night (“I want to start off by simply saying thank you. Thank you for being so patient, kind, and understanding even when it was frustrating.”), I cried. It was as if the Lord was telling me “it matters.” So to all the educators out there who think it doesn’t matter, it matters.
