I heard these words from a student the other day at the elementary school I work at. I still have a few years of school before I get my own classroom and students, but being able to interact with students is an incredible experience. I get excited on Thursdays because I know that means I get to see my kids again.
A few days ago, I was helping one third grader with a homework assignment. She explained a problem she was having, and I explained something that I had learned when I was in Spanish I in 8th grade to help her get started on how to solve her problems. After talking her through a couple of problems, she did one question by herself. Then another. She smiled. Then she did another one. I gave her a high five and told her that she was a great listener and a hard worker. She smiled even bigger.
“You’re a good teacher, Miss Laura.”
To any of my friends who want to become teachers: you can know you want to be a teacher. You could have been planning this since you were in elementary school. You can be in the classroom constantly and always work with children. You can have family and friends alike tell you how good of a teacher you are going to be.
Nothing in the world can prepare you for when a student tells you that you are making a difference in their life.
I know, helping her with one homework assignment isn’t going to change her entire life. I can’t pretend that I taught her valuable lessons that she’ll carry for the rest of her life. However, I did teach her to think creatively. To think outside the box. To want to learn and be willing to learn new things if it meant she could understand something better.
To me, that is a victory.
I know I got through to her. I know that in some seemingly insignificant way, I made a difference. And I know that if I were to have her in my class, I would be able to make a larger impact on her life.
It’s comforting to know that my suspicions about my teaching abilities have some value, and I know that with more education and time working with children, I will be able to expand on my knowledge and change the lives of many other students.
It’s one thing to believe or even know that you will be a good teacher. It’s also one thing to have your peers, superiors, friends, or family tell you that you will be or are a good teacher. It’s something completely different to have a child look you in the eyes and tell you that you made a difference.
I hope that’s something that every teacher gets to experience. Because nothing could have prepared me for the warmth that comes from that reassurance.
