The Heart of Teaching

If you’re anything like me {and most teachers} then teaching is MUCH more than just a job for you.  Teaching is a calling and a mission field.  Some of us have students that don’t get enough love and attention at home, some don’t have enough food or care at home, some have those things but because parents are so busy they don’t get the attention they desire and deserve.  Some of the students in our classroom feel safer and more “at home” in our classroom than their actual homes.  This is why our classroom becomes our mission field! 

As far as the calling, I can say that when I am not teaching I feel out of balance…like I’m not doing what I’ve been called to do.  You see, we have a much more important job than simply teaching skills that are tested.  We have the responsibility to the hearts and minds of countless students.  The way we interact with our students helps shape their life skills, self esteem, social interactions, and on and on.  Seems like a lot, huh?  But we do it with a smile in our face and genuine love in our hearts for our students.

At the beginning of each year, I spend time reminding myself of this responsibility and calling.  I always, always listen to Nichole Nordeman’s song Legacy.  The line that lingers in my mind goes like this: “I want to leave a legacy.  How will they remember me?  Did I choose to love?…”  {Check out the video at the end of the post.}  Every copy made, activity created, paper graded, running record taken, assessment administered, etc. should be oozing with our love for our students.  This song reminds me of this.  I want each and every student that walks through my door to leave feeling loved and knowing that they can conquer the world.

The other day I came across a quote on Pinterest {I know, I’m addicted!} that spurred me to write this post and create this little freebie poster.

{Download HERE}

Wow.  What a statement by Ann Landers.  So often we get wrapped up in the papers, the meetings, the standards, etc. that we forget that our ultimate goal is to help these students be successful in life!  Not just on a test or paper, but in LIFE! I love this quote because it’s a great reminder that it’s not what we do but what we teach our kiddos to do for themselves that is important.  Those moments when a student figures out how to solve a math problem, read a book, or work together as a team…those moments when the light bulb goes off and their mind is racing…those are the moments that matter.  The moments when those kiddos KNOW that they can do it themselves—those are the moments that are shaping them into successful human beings!  This quote also reminds me that I don’t want my classroom to function like a lecture.  I want my classroom to be inquiry and discovery based AS MUCH as possible!  I want to be facilitator as much as possible.  I want my students to become learners and to LOVE learning.  I ultimately want them to be life-long lovers of learning.

So as you begin this new school year, amidst the paperwork, open houses, assessments, and meetings, take a moment {or a lot of moments} to think about the heart of teaching.  Think about how you want your students to feel every day in your classroom.  Think about how you want your students to remember you and your classroom.  Set a goal and go for it!  Though none of us are perfect, and there will definitely be distractions, strive to do your best for those little hearts in your room this year. I know I will be focusing on the hearts of my little ones a lot as I begin this school year. Join me!

Nichole Nordeman-Legacy