@house_cat wrote:
When I moved to California I was 42 years old. Moving to a brand new place, with two unhappy teenagers, was the hardest thing I've ever done. I decided that the best way to help them adjust, was to be a good example for them. I had the opportunity to go back to school and start a new career, so I got a masters degree in education. I teach 7th and 8th graders, who are, in my opinion, among the most vulnerable creatures on Earth. Most of the teachers I work with enjoy teaching those model students who do everything "right". I gravitate towards the troubled kids, usually boys, because I had two of my own. I bump into them around town years later and they tell me that I was their favorite teacher because I respected them. My husband's job brings him into contact with many of these kids and parents of these kids. When they realize the connection, they always tell him how I made a difference in their lives. Just last week I had two visit. One is in the ROTC at his HS and doing very well. When he was in my 8th grade class I pushed for academic testing because I could tell he was intelligent, but could barely read. His grades are good now and he's looking to a career in the military. Coincidently, another one stopped by the next day, dressed in his Marine uniform. To make a difference in the life of one child is a blessing. Having the opportunity to make a difference in so many lives is the most rewarding thing I could ever imagine. The kicker is that these kids usually teach me more than I teach them.
@house_cat
Hi house_cat,
And all those doubting Thomasas want to know why becoming an educator is so very important to some! You've just provided one of many answers. Thank you for doing what you do/did. A teacher like you can turn a life around - literally. For those who haven't been challenged, it may be difficult to understand. Believe me what an incredible difference you and thousands of other teachers have made to the lives of countless students.
I'm going to share this with you, because I know you'll fully understand the impact it made. After attaining my Bacherlor's, I proceeded to graduate school in Education for a year and a half. Having a Life Long Standard Secondary Teaching Credential from the State of California, I thought I'd begin my professional life as a teacher. That was not to be, due to hiring circumstances back then (can't talk about it here); however, I did have two long term sub jobs. During one of those, I approached the Girl's P.E. Dept. Head and asked if I could teach a class of Fencing. Why Fencing? That was my sport in college and I felt this would be an incredible challenge given that 80% of the high school population was Asian. Fencing is an aggressive sport and females in that culture are not aggressive - well, I think you see the challenge. The first day was intro to the equipment and pairing up and learning how to advance and retreat. I had 42 minutes with these teens 3 days week. On day 3 when the girls were actively involved in their first attempt at fencing with their partner, I stood back and looked around the gym. Oh my goodnss, but two girls look as though they had been born with foils in their hands! I asked them to see me after they had changed out of ther gym suits. In speaking with them, I asked if they enjoyed fencing and they both said "Yes." Further, I asked if they would be interested in being trained by Mr. Gee, the coach of the Fencing Team, the ultimate goal of which would be to earn a place on the team. They were both excited for me to proceed. After my uphill battle with Mr. Gee, who thought I was after his job, he evaluated the girls. The oldest was a senior and so he would not have her. Darn! However, the younger girl was a sophomore and he saw promise in her.
I closed out that semester substitute teaching Biology, then followed a partial semester teaching Choir. Now fast forward nearly 3 years. My home phone rang and it was Kristine, the sophomore. She invited me and my husband to please attend the annual Girls Athletic Association dinner in Chinatown right before graduation in June. Of coure I said yes, though had no idea why after 3 years I was asked to attend.
We arrived at the venue, walked into the banquet room and Kristine came running up to me and gave me a huge hug. Then she stepped back, her right hand cradled a large gold medal on a ribbon and she lifted it up so I could see it. "Mrs. ______. Because of what you saw in me that day in the gym, I earned a place on the Fencing Team and eventually, through many competitions, became the California Women's Champion. And CAL [University of California-Berkely] has offered me a full academic scholarship."
By this time, I was in tears and she was, too. She went on to become an Internist. Awesome, awesome, awesome!
***
I was very angry for a very long time that circumstances, which cannot be mentioned here, prevented me from pursuing a career in teaching. Then I came to realize that the 5-1/2 years spent in college toward that end were meant for Kristine - for the impact of my decision to ask to teach Fencing and discovering Kristine and the change that decision made.
The post script to this is that Kristine's parents were quite poor and could never have afforded tuition at CAL. Kristine would have most likely ended up at CCSF, San Francisco's junior college, to take care of her GE requirements, while working a job and saving, so that she could attend San Francisco State University.
I feel blessed to have had Kristine enter my life and make such an impact.
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