Whenever someone tries to encourage a teacher, we typically ask them to “remember their why.” I don’t mind this question, but I think our “why” changes so frequently it is hard to answer honestly. Usually, when we answer this question we respond with something about the “Aha” moments or building relationships with kids, which is great, but we never ask for someone to share a time when their “why” came to life.

Think about the best moment you have had so far as a teacher. I feel confident that it will not have anything to do with your students passing the standardized test or the day you taught a lesson and everyone sat quietly and listened. 

To me, the best moments in education are when you get to see students experience pure joy and when you see relationships develop. I have two short stories, both of which I think about daily and help me come out of a rut when I find myself struggling.

On my first day as a gym teacher, I was about to teach my first-ever kindergarten class (I also ended up losing that class running wild in the hallway but that is a story for another post). While the kindergarteners were being walked down the hall by their teacher to the gym on their first day of school, a tiny blond-haired girl threw her hands in the air and then began fist pumping like Tiger Woods at the Masters. She was literally jumping with joy, laughing, and celebrating. I bent down and asked her what she was celebrating and she said in the  tiniest but most excited voice, “I just made my first friend!” I didn’t know what else to do besides give her a hug and start celebrating with her. That single moment has stayed with me for years. 

That same year we had a Social Emotional Learning coach who also doubled as one of the school disciplinarians. His name was Mr. Nero. We both started out together and neither one of us had any idea what we were doing, but we did know that we were here for kids. Mr. Nero was a big, bearded man but was honestly just a giant teddy bear. The staff, at times, wished that he was more intimidating and that all the kids didn’t love him so much. They felt the disciplinarian should be feared rather than loved but that wasn’t his style.

We had a first-grade student who had pretty significant behavior obstacles and even more significant obstacles at home. For this post, we will call him Tommy. Tommy had gotten to know Mr. Nero well over the course of the year. He was frequently sent out of the class and when the teacher spoke to him, you could hear the frustration in her voice. In the classroom, he didn’t feel welcome, and at home, I imagine he continuously felt stressed. The only place or time that we knew Tommy was getting what he needed to succeed was when he was with Mr. Nero. One day towards the end of the year we learned that Tommy was moving schools and it was his last day. I am so thankful I was present for what happened next. 

On this day I was with Mr. Nero and Tommy walking out to the bus. When we got to the bus, Tommy took a few steps towards the door, then turned around and jumped into Mr. Nero’s arms, gave him a huge hug, and said, “I love you, Mr. Nero”. Mr. Nero, responded in a choked-up voice, “I love you too, buddy” and Tommy got on the bus. Without Mr. Nero refusing to transform into the version of himself others at times wanted him to be, this relationship may have never formed, and Tommy may have never felt like he had someone to count on. Mr. Nero, You Are Good At This!

Challenge:

Ask your non-teacher friends what the coolest thing that has happened to them at work. I guarantee that your best moment tops theirs by a landslide. Just think about your best moment this week or today! Ask your spouse how many high fives they gave today or how many times they got to dance or jump with joy during their workday. I imagine they will say close to 0. If your response is close to 0 also, then tomorrow, try and up your numbers!