I entered a contest for a free computer today. I filled out all the standard information and then was surprised when the form asked me to write an essay on why I teach. I was taken aback and really had to think. I wrote the essay and then copied it to Word before I sent it because I wanted to keep the thoughts and words that went into essay. I probably won't win the computer, but I have already won with the essay. It turned into a poem- It is crazy where the inspiration to write comes from. So what inspires you? I have included the poem- tell me what you think.
I teach not because of the money I earn or because I "get the summers off"
but because I can make a difference in the lives of students.
I teach because I can be the one person a student feels safe in coming to
with problems, concerns, help and advice.
I teach because it is a respected profession
with great people to work with in it.
I teach to see the lights come on in kids' minds
and to see the learning and intelligence that I always knew was there.
I teach to see the kids who thought they could not do anything
do wondrous things with a little push and a lot of help.
I teach because in May when the seniors prepare for graduation,
I am inundated with announcements and pictures
all having special notes of thanks for what I have done for them-
I touch lives.
I teach because my students love me and I love them.
I teach for the students-
They need me.
I teach because it is never boring and keeps me feeling young.
I teach because it frustrates and challenges me;
I am always learning.
I teach because I can
and because I want to.
I teach because I care.
15 comments:
I really like this blog. This is exactly what I wrote about in my introductory letter to you in my portfolio. I put in there that you are actually one of the teachers that do care, and you are somebody that has changed my future. I just want you to know that I really appreciate everything you have done for me throughout the years.
I think it sounds beautiful. I really like it. You sound like a dedicated teacher and not stuck up or self-absorbed. I think you put a lot into teaching and it really pays off because I think our school (of those kids who take your classes) are better off and do well on their English parts in their standardized testing or even on their ACT's. English happened to be the highest score on my ACT and also on my standardized tests and I think that's because I have learned most of what I have learned of English from you and Ms. Stockert (which I must say I miss her).
Beautiful...brings tears to my eyes! Haha, just kidding. It's just me sneezing. Anyhow, I shall being with this: thank you. No matter how stressful your class can be; no matter how much homework you pile on; no matter how much yelling I do at home because of you, I really do appreciate everything you've done throughout these past couple of years.
Thank you.
Oh, and I hope you win the free computer =)
I agree with Jamie and Kayla. Even though the massive amount of work you give us frustrates me sometimes, I know that you are preparing us for our futures and that you truly do want us to succeed at whatever we decide to do. I wish more teachers were like that poem. The older I get, the easier it is to tell which teachers are in the career for the right reasons and which ones are not. It would really make a difference to students in how much they value learning and how hard they try. That is why I always try hard in your class...because it is the most rewarding when I am finished with it.
Mrs. Hansen that's awesome. I really enjoyed reading that, but I didn't need to read about it because I already knew that. I look forward to your class periods everyday and it's definitely not because of the slack workload. We all know that is not the truth; however, I do appreciate it as it will better prepare me for my future educational endeavors. For the past three years you have been my most interactive teacher and it seems that you are one of the special teachers that actually care about how a student grows and develops. Let me just say that your students may not always show it, but they are more than grateful to have you. Finally, I just want to thank you for the great times I have had in your classes and I'm surely going to miss them next year and other years to come. Now, let me end in a poem for you:
Thank you for the lovely gift;
You didn’t have to do it.
You have a good and gracious heart,
But then, I always knew it.
I love this, and I think of you
With fondness and with pleasure;
The gift is great, but even more,
It’s your thoughtfulness I treasure.
-By Joanna Fuchs
A teacher is able to touch so many lives in the most fathomless ways. I believe that it is a beautiful and powerful poem--I am not even able to describe how except that all the individuals you have had in class will undoubtedly never forget you and neither will I. Thanks for challenging students because if there is no challenge they feel no need to try.
Being a student in your class, I understand this poem in a greater sense because I have experienced a lot of it and seen it in you and that is why it's great--because it is all true. The classes of yours that I took this year were a handful to say the least. Like I said in my portfolio introduction letter, you made us work harder than we have ever before and you made us strive to make us want to become better writers and students. By taking your classes, they have helped me not only in those areas of study, but they have helped me become a harder-working, more well-rounded person. Thank you so much for everything you've helped me with and it will be very sad not having you as a teacher next year. Help my brother in the upcoming years ;) please!
I like this blog and it really is the truth. Even though your students complain and whine about the massive amounts of homework we receive every week we really do appreciate everything you have done for us. Taking two of your classes is terrible, so sophomores taking two classes of Mrs. Hansen's...beware. I have just warned you. But in all reality we thank you for all you do. Because when we get to college and the "other" class gets there, we know who will be ahead. We will be the ones who know what we are doing and we thank you for that.
It is a really good way to get your students to think. I want to thank you Mrs. Hansen for teaching me the English I know everyone knows lillebo didn't teach me a thing i didn't already know. I want to thank you for not dumming down your curriculum and challanging us! You a wonderful teachr and one of my favorites!
Candace kaye rohrbach
That poem is a great way to help peole understand your reasons for teaching. Your an amazing teacher and have taught me so much this year. Sometimes I thought I was going to break down and cry because of all the homework you gave, but in the end it was all worth it! Thanks for all you've done for me! I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
That poem is a great way to help peole understand your reasons for teaching. Your an amazing teacher and have taught me so much this year. Sometimes I thought I was going to break down and cry because of all the homework you gave, but in the end it was all worth it! Thanks for all you've done for me! I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Thank you for being my teacher, I have always looked forward to your classes. I'm glad you challenged us to become better writers and people, thank your for all of the time you put in to help us succeed. Your poem is very nice and true to, I wish I would have taken Soc/Psych next year so that I could still have a class with you.
That poem is a great way to help peole understand your reasons for teaching. Your an amazing teacher and have taught me so much this year. Sometimes I thought I was going to break down and cry because of all the homework you gave, but in the end it was all worth it! Thanks for all you've done for me! I appreciate it more than you can imagine.
Great poem! You are an extremely dedicated teacher and are very proud of it! You put a lot in to your teaching and students recognize that. I will say your class was one of my hardest this year, but it was one that I enjoyed most. You made us do our work and you made us do it well. Your sense of humor and because you know how the high school student's mind really works makes you a great teacher!
Morgan Esser
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