I’d never consider myself a great teacher.
There are plenty of things that many other teachers do much better than I, whether it’s differentiation, classroom management or use of technology. I work on all those things a lot.
And that makes me pretty good.
But I’d never say I’m great. And I recognize that.
It doesn’t mean, however, that I can’t make a profound impact in the lives of my students.
What makes a teacher memorable, impactful or life-changing doesn’t have anything to do with the nuts and bolts of teaching. Think back to your favorite class, your favorite teacher. My guess it, it has little to do with the lesson or content, and more to do with the energy that teacher brought and the attitude he or she had in the classroom.
Was she encouraging?
Was he kind?
Did that teacher make you feel like a good person just sitting in that classroom?
Every few months I watch the following video. It reminds me that, no matter what’s going on in my life, I need to show up with the best version of myself.
Every. Single. Day.
Maybe life’s tough.
No. Not maybe. Of course it’s tough.
But that’s never an excuse for me to show up and give anything less than my best. Doing so allows me to meet each and every student wherever he or she is. It shows them that they matter, that they have value. After all, the effort and attention we give anything shows how much we value that thing.
And I want my students to know that they have value above all else.
The following video reminds me that, no matter what, I can always show up as the best version of myself. And I trust that that’ll be enough.
There is only one person that comes to mind when the words “Great Teacher” is said.