As I take part in the 20 Day Blogging Challenge (#bc20), I find myself reflecting on teaching. What can I share that is meaningful? Taking part in this blogging challenge has definitely made me push beyond my regular blogging frequency as well as the content being published. Serving What does serving have to do with teaching? Isn't that something that a waitress or waiter does at the local restaurant? This characteristic is one that has been highlighted in my life recently. I have been reading Tony Dungy's book titled The Mentor Leader. Tony has great advice on being a leader and serving. It is not about the short term results. However, it is about cultivating and building up others around you. It is about building significance into their lives so that they may someday lead the next generation. Wow! Those of you that are teachers may be getting goose bumps or chills knowing that Tony's ideals about leadership resemble what being a teacher is all about. It's not about accolades or getting paid big dollars. It's about serving those in our classrooms, buildings and communities. There isn't a magic formula for manufacturing greatness in our classrooms. What is magical though is the investment, nurturing and love that takes place in classrooms to foster leadership for future generations. While some professions look for the short term return on their investment, a teacher treasures those little moments when a light bulb turns on inside their student's head, regardless if it took months to accomplish. Sometimes I find myself focusing on the short term which leads to negativity and poor execution on my part. I often forget about the greater vision and purpose of being a teacher. Through all the chaos each day, I sometimes feel like I am not getting anything into my students' heads. Stepping back and looking at the long term helps me realize it takes a lot of small stones to build a mountain. Being a teacher is not as easy as most think. Those that do not teach have a skewed view on what all factors into each learning adventure that takes place in the school and classroom. Those that teach know what it is all about. It's about serving in a way that is selfless. It is about being focused on others in an authentic way that builds them up to succeed. It's about the intangibles, the, "I missed you," the, "your the best." Most of all, it is knowing that you instilled something that will ultimately be the foundation for the rest of someone's life. Priceless! Cheers to being a teacher! Share This:
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Andrew FenstermakerInstructional Technology Coordinator | Innovation Coach | Google Certified Innovator | Presenter | Blogger | Adjunct @UiowaEducation | Owner @kids_f_i_r_s_t |