I am a Teacher!
By Mrs. Engelhardt
November 04, 2009
When I meet someone asks what I do for a living, I respond, "I'm a teacher." They then ask, "What do you teach?" I say, "Kids."
Though I teach English/Language Arts, more importantly I teach students. Reading, writing, speaking, and listening--all encompassed under the heading of English/Language Arts--affords me the privilege to teach so much more. Through reading literature, students are taught--and hopefully learn--important lessons of life; through written and oral language, students gain confidence to communicate with others; and through listening, students learn to analyze the thoughts of others, hopefully reaching a level of tolerance--if not acceptance--of others' opinions.
Yet the list continues for any teacher. Through assignments, students learn to meet short- and long-term deadlines. They learn to work collaboratively with peers, learning there are leaders and loafers--yet all get the same pay, a grade. Students learn whether or not they can follow directions, have an opinion about a topic, add to class discussion, show respect for others...
Yet how do teachers impress upon students to want to learn? Enthusiasm and passion may draw students' interest. I am one of the lucky ones: my occupation and avocation coincide. My love of the English language shown to students will hopefully one day make a difference to someone, somewhere, some way, whether I am ever knowledgeable of that particular feat or not. If I can impress upon even one student the value of language, I shall not have taught in vain.
I do not assume that my teaching students knowledge and behaviors makes me a better person; it makes them better persons. Perhaps they can, in turn, change the world.
