The other day I was playing a board game with the smart, wonderful kids I have the privilege of working with. It was an innocent game but the subject of our president elect came up. In a matter of seconds, I had 8 year olds saying how much they hate him and that he was going to hurt everyone. I was shocked to say the least. How could these sweet children that I thought were angels be saying such disrespectful things? I've always been taught to treat everyone with respect and dignity even if I didn't agree with their beliefs or opinions. I couldn't help but speak up to these kids. I was careful not to be to invasive but I did say that no matter what we should all be respecting him. All I received from that was blank stares. This got me thinking. I am seriously afraid of our future. Not because of our new president, the economy or global warming but because of how future generations will act in this world.
The only thing that helps me calm my nerves about this is knowing that I have the opportunity to shape the future generations. Some people look down on educators or they don't understand how someone could work for next to no money. I don't want to be a teacher for the money or summers off. I want to be a teacher to see that light go off in a child I never thought it would. I want to be a teacher to be there for a child that might not have anyone else. Most of all I want to be a teacher so I can do my part in setting up the future with successful, respectful, intuitive people.
Some of you may be thinking that I want to change or influence children. That's not my goal at all. I have the opportunity to shape their minds. Not with opinions or beliefs but with facts and figures. Teaching is not about proving something though, it is about showing children how to get to the right answer and hoping they get there on their own. It is also about teaching them social and emotional skills. Developing empathy and sympathy is an important part of educating. So if I can show them those skills while also educating them with facts, I have done my job and hopefully won't worry for the future so much.
I know that the day I start teaching I will be making a difference. Heck, I think I might be making a difference with the kids I work with right now. Teaching has always been close to my heart. I loved showing people my age or younger something I knew and they didn't. This is how I know that I am on the right path. I love what I'm learning. I love what I do. I can't wait to get started for real.
