I’ve been thinking
about this a lot of late, what you are known for. What your reputation is as an
educator, as a person? It came back to me again this morning while reading
through my Facebook feed. I saw some beautiful words that Kate DiCamillo wrote
about having an older dog. (Side note, how does every single thing she writes turn out so beautifully? Facebook
status updates – works of art. Seriously.) When I read Kate’s words, it immediately made
me think of my friend, Margie, and her beloved dog, Xena. Anytime I see a dog,
I think of Margie. Or also a colleague, Leigh, and her quest to save as many
dogs as possible.
This led me
to think of other friends and how I always link certain topics with certain
people, or certain feelings with certain people. When you begin that line of
thinking, you have to begin to wonder, what do people think about you? Right?
As I have
mentioned several times, I live in a tiny town. Your reputation often precedes
you. I have a feeling that can happen in larger towns as well. I talk to my
students about this regularly. Growing up, I didn’t think about this enough. Your
actions can speak louder than your words. What you do matters. I want my
students to figure this out before I did.
And they
are figuring it out. Unfortunately for them, they are often figuring it out in
front of a lot of eyes. The world of social media makes growing up hard. I want
to make it easier for my beautiful students. I’d love to give them the magic
answers, but I don’t think there are any. I think this is something they have to
do on their own.
So I turn back to myself. I try so very hard to be a good role model for my students, and for my own sons as well. I try and put forward a positive message. I try and let my fifth graders know me so we can build that relationship that is so very important to our foundation of our year together. And then I wonder, what is it they see? What do they truly know about me? Just the other day, I got a note on Instagram. It told me what I needed to know, how I was seen, and it made my heart happy.
If I am known
as a teacher who loved her students, sunsets, and books – I am grateful. I love
when students reach out, share their thoughts with you. I love when I am given
the chance to know that what I am doing matters. And at the end of a school
year, when you are wrung out and questioning if you made the impact that you
wanted to in that short year together, this is just the best. Thanks, AJ. You absolutely
made my week.
What are
you known for? As a teacher, an educator, a parent, a friend? What an excellent
tool for reflection. I will be asking my students to write about this question
next year.
