"FOR TEACHERS & EDUCATORS"
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"Child use your head and push forward
And you will overcome and be successful."
Mrs. Roux --- Submitted by Bre C., Age 15 --- Texas
( This was told to me by a very special teacher that changed my life for the better. Whenever I feel down and feel like I can't go anymore, I take a look at this quote and read it over and over and say, "You can do this. Yep... you can do this." )
"Take time to pay for your education while you're young,
Or pay for not having it the rest of your life."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Mike McMichael --- Missouri
"If sometimes memories get confused with dreams,
Well, that's as it should be.
Because every kid deserves to be a hero.
Every kid already is."
From The Wonder Years --- Submitted by Amanda C., Age 16 --- Oklahoma
"Who dares to teach, must never cease to learn."
John Cotton Dana --- Submitted by Tammy Miller --- Massachusetts
"If you don't see the wisdom in others, it is you that is a fool."
Mr. Kemmer --- Submitted by T.B., Age 17 --- Oregon
"If you ever fell stranded I promise you, you aren't. I will be there for you. All the other people that do feel stranded shall come together and prosper from one another."
L.N., Age 15 --- California
"There is no limit to what your heart considers art."
Copyright © 2000 Georgia Peschel
( I teach children and am sad when I hear that they are told their art is not correct or good enough. Who are we to say? )
"If you don't prepare, you repair."
Copyright © 2000 Rick Chromey
(Preparation of the lesson, the student and your life is the secret to GREAT teaching! This is one of my own"quotes" I share in teaching "teachers." )
"The smallest action a teacher makes toward her students can mean so much to them. Last week I witnessed one example of this. A teacher was walking in the hall past our classroom and a girl in the front called out her name. The teacher stopped, looked in, smiled and waved to the girl. The expression on that girls face after that was amazing. She tried not to show it but she blushed and the smile wouldn't fade for awhile. Then she finally said, " Mrs. R is so nice..." It may mean nothing to some people but to most people, a smile, a wave, a hello and goodbye from a teacher can mean more then anything to a student no matter what they may say."
Wishing to remain anonymous, Age 18 --- New Jersey
Teacher's Prayer
I want to teach my students
How to live this life on earth
To face its struggles and its strife
And improve their worth
Not just the lesson in a book
Or how the rivers flow
But how to choose the proper path
Wherever they may go
To understand eternal truth
And know the right from wrong
And gather all the beauty
Of a Flower and a song
For if I help the world to grow
In wisdom and grace
Then I shall feel that I have won
And I have filled my place
And so I ask your guidance, God
That I may do my part
For character and confidence
And happiness of heart
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Brad Teske --- Alberta, Canada
"Teaching is the choicest of professions because everybody who is anybody was taught how to be somebody by a teacher."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Steven Barth --- Maryland
"In the heart of every teacher are the memories of a child."
The Faculty Faerie Godmother of Liberty Middle School
--- Submitted by Judy Faust --- Virginia
"The extreme always makes an impression."
Jeff Hardy --- Submitted by G.K., Age 18 --- Ontario, Canada
"Instead of trying to reach your students by always making them act more like adults, approach your day with the spirit of a child and your classroom will become your playground."
Copyright © 2001 Marsha Bass
( We often forget what it was like to be children and high school students, though quite large on the outside, are still just children. Remember to laugh, play fair, share, respect other's things, and how painful littlematters can hurt to children. Soon you will make a connection that will make it much easier for you to thenguide them gently into adulthood. )
"I could say NO while waiting for the perfect opportunity,
But I'd rather say YES to a wonderful learning experience."
Copyright © 1992 Deb Brauneller
A Teacher's Reflections
Marian Wright Edelman's prayers and reflections are an inspiration to me both personally and professionally. She relays a clear understanding of children's needs as the grow toward adulthood. The picture she paints of her childhood makes me realize what is lacking for many of the children of our country. It renews my awareness of the needs of the students in my classroom and my responsibility as a teacher and a member of a community.
One passage that moved me was where Marian writes, "When Christ told His disciples to let the little children 'come unto me". He did not say rich children or white children or smart children or non-disabled children. He said let the children come unto me. And so must we.
These words ring in my ears and will inspire me to see each child as a child of God. I will love each one and educate each one to the best of my ability. I will not see any student as a problem, but as a gift (and possibly a challenge), and my love for children and my mission as a teacher will enable me to be hard-working, dedicated, and committed to our children. I will try to inspire, motivate, and educate parents of my students and other adults to see their responsibilities to our children.
It is important that we see all children as OUR children and realize that we must invest ourselves in making our community a safe and loving place for our children to grow up. I am a teacher because I love children and want to invest time and effort into making ourcommunity child-centered. I want to help other adults realize the special gift that children are and to realize their responsibilities to all children in our community.
My life has been affected by the children I teach each time I look in a student's eyes and realize that what I do that day determines how that child's day will go. I have seen directly how my mood and attitude affects an entire classroom of children. I have seen how my hard work and creative lesson planning inspires and motivates children to learn. Teaching has taught me how my actions directly affect the lives of others. Motherhood has reinforced this one hundred times over.
Now as I look into the eyes of each of my students I see my child, and the way I treat each student is the way I would want my own child to be treated. I realize that each child in my room is somebody's baby boy or girl.
Teaching has brought me a peace and fulfillment in my life that is so strong that if I were to die tomorrow I feel that my life has meant something--that I have touched the lives of others and was appreciated by parents and students. I feel I have followed a calling of the Lord, and I honored His commands to the best of my ability. I look forward to work, and I enjoy my life so much.
My job is not just a job. There is so much more than money. At the end of the day, my efforts have meant something significant. I hope to always better myself to become a leader and role model who is respected as an educator who can help lead others to dedicating themselves to children.
Tavia Schoen --- Submitted by Kate Thomas --- Michigan
"Those who can, TEACH.
Those who can't, go into some less significant line of work."
Found on a coffee mug --- Submitted by John Dauphinee --- Massachusetts
"They always say that time changes things,
But you actually have to change them yourself."
Andy Warhol --- Submitted by Melissa M. --- Pennsylvania
"Failure is not an option;
Just a nagging possibility that helps me stay focused."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by J.C. --- Florida
"There are things known, there are things Unknown.
And in between are the doors."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Pablo Devis --- Cundinamarca, Colombia
"Just remember, whenever you think life sucks, it doesn't suck forever."
Kate B., Age 18 --- New Jersey
(This was told to me by my favorite teacher today and it's completely true! Just when you think that nothing can ever be good again and that you have nothing going for you, remember that feeling does not last forever and in time, things will get better.)
"The best treasures in life are the ones deep in your heart."
Copyright © 2000 Paula Jo Fitzsimmons
"There is no finish line."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Adam D., Age 15 --- Illinois
Who is a Teacher?
Someone who listens closely to what we are asking
Someone who answers with kindness and knowledge
Someone who prepares us for today and tomorrow
Someone who loves every one of us in different ways
Someone who keeps learning everyday
Thank God, It's someone like you
Copyright © 2000 Jeff Frail
"When your favorite teacher looks you straight in the eye for the first time, the moment seems to go by too soon. When you receive their first smile, a fiery warmth fills your heart. When they hug you for the first time, life stands still for that brief period. And when your favorite teacher tells you they love you, your heart breaks because it is unable to hold in the joy flowing through your soul. So look back into their eyes, smile at them and tell them how much they mean to you. Hold their hand and thank them for always seeing the beauty in you. And when you hug them, whisper 'I love you, too' in their ear."
Copyright © 2000 Rhae Lindsey