Today was parent teacher conferences. I love meeting with parents, but I’ll admit that it’s a little exhausting to talk for six hours. But then, teaching is an exhausting job. I don’t get huge bonuses or a big fat paycheck, but I do get benefits.
The best benefits?
Compliments from students.
Yesterday I had a student drop by my room at lunch. He’s a great kid, but decided to drop out of the Socratic Seminar class I teach to go into regular to improve his grade. He came up to my desk and said, “Mrs. Thornton, I have to tell you something.”
A conversation that starts that way doesn’t always end well.
“And what is that?” I asked.
“I wanted you to know that you’re a great teacher. I thought switching out of your class was a good decision at the time, but I wish I’d stayed. It would have been worth it to sacrifice a higher grade to learn more.”
Awwww….
Yep, that made my day.
Take a moment today to thank someone or give them a compliment. Is there someone who has made an impact on your life you’ve thanked, or wished you’d thanked? Did you have a really great teacher in school who inspired you?
Last year, my 6 yo (now 7) complained every day how he hates school. He was thrilled when he ended up this year with the teacher he really wanted. I've only heard him once this year complain that he hates school. I made sure his teacher knows how much he appreciates her. How much we all do.
Teaching's a hard job. I couldn't do it. I commend you for doing such an awesome job, Stephanie.
The other day, I was at my old school, and I wish I'd stopped by to thank my Year 11 English teacher for being fabulous. She rocked, and I still use what she taught me. I passed on the compliments via a mutual acquaintance, but I couldn't get up to her room to see her. I wish I had.
That was a wonderful compliment.
Mrs. Geczy. Love that woman. She knew I was gonna write a book a decade before I knew.
Congrats on your awesome compliment.
That's awesome, Stephanie! And I must thank YOU for reading for me and offering me your suggestions and critique 🙂
Stina- I was just talking to my husband a while back about the importance of good elementary teachers. A great teacher can make a kid's attitude on school and a poor one can break it.
Dominique- I didn't get to tell my favorite English teacher how great she was until I became a teacher. And I never got a chance to tell the teacher who inspired my love of history. I've tried tracking her down, but to no avail.
Mason- Thanks! It certainly made my day!
Karen- Isn't that fabulous? I hope she knows she was right!
Amalia- Right back at you! I'll critique and read for you any time!
Yes! My Year 8 Advanced English teacher, Mr. Tilly. We read The Hobbit, and for an assignment, I wrote a poem based on on the story. His comment said something like, "A poem that even Tolkien himself would be proud of", which was obviously not true but still rocked my world!
That must be a great feeling when a student finally appreciates all your hard work!
My favorite teacher was in 5th grade. When the Young Author's Conference judges wouldn't accept my story because they thought my parents had written it, she got a local author to come in and speak. He read my book and wrote some great comments that I'll never forget! She turned a heartbreaking situation into an uplifting one, and I wrote to her after finishing college to tell her how much she'd inspired me.
Conversations that begin with that phrase don't usually end so well!
I actually ran into a parent last weekend in a shoe store. She got teary eyed telling me how her son now enjoys going to school. Made me a little teary too 🙂
It's the little things that make teaching (and the stress that goes along with it) worth it.
I had a couple of teachers who inspired me. I think what that boy said to you was a huge compliment. Not only did he want to learn more because of you, but he knew he would learn more because of you. You must be an exceptional teacher.
AW! What a wonderful compliment 🙂 And I believe it, just reading your comments on my blog and others shows how encouraging and nurturing you are. I've had a few wonderful teachers along the way, a couple of which truly encouraged me in my writing.
Amen to compliments — something I need to work on…
I never had a teacher who inspired me, but I had a few who helped me along the way and became friends.
I did have a creative writing teacher in college who ripped me to shreds… funny little man… I need to go back and read the offending story b/c I'd probably agree w/ his assessment today.
Mr. Casagrande. I had him in 6th grade, and he's like a father to me to this day! I LOVE that man. He's a big part of why I became a teacher.
As a mother who has a special needs child, I would like to say thank you. Thank you for being yourself and sharing that story, it made my day. To know that there are still teachers out there that aren`t just looking to work 6 hrs, have summer break, 2 weeks off at Christmas and all the other hoildays. It gives me a lot of hope that there will be lot more teachers like you.
Again THANK YOU!!!!
Have a great day,
Stacey
How precious. I admonish teachers to keep up the good work. I thank God for teacher like yourself, it makes it easier to entrust my children.
I love this post! I'm so glad you had that moment.
Good teachers are life-changing.
So are bad teachers.
Thank you to all the great teachers out there!
Happy Weekend Stephanie!
~Lola
What a lovely compliment. And how inspiring to know you made made such an important difference in a young man's life – he'll carry that lesson with him always.
I had many teachers who inspired and encouraged me, I can't point to just one. They were an amazing group of people. I don't recall ever having a teacher who just "went through the motions."