This is such a heart filled question. How can I truly express this childhood passion? I know that for some people, being an educator is an important job that they pour their hearts into, but in the end it's "just a job". Once a colleague of mine told me that there is more to life than school and that this job is not who we are. I completely disagree with that. For me being an educator is a calling. This job is part of who I am. It is an honor and a privilege to work with children and teenagers on a daily basis.
I guess that I should be
quoting some famous author, thinker, or innovator, about greatness in
education, but I can't. Three things
come to mind: Ms. Lewis, my school experience and stewardship.
Ms. Lewis was my kindergarten teacher and one of the most extraordinary people that I have ever met. She ran our class with respect and dignity; she exposed us to the world in a creative manner, but most of all she loved and cared for the entire class. Ms. Lewis showed us all of this with a simple hug, help with an activity, or just a smile. We all loved her dearly. At the end of kindergarten I knew I wanted to be a teacher. I wanted to care for kids just as she did.
I watched the clock closely in the following 11 years. Elementary school and high school seemed to go on for an eternity. Being one of the few visual minorities in my elementary school, I never really fit in(from a racial perspective). Taunting and teasing appeared to be the norm. One of my French teachers contributed to the discrimination by calling on me as "Natasha mon petit chocolat". Then I went to high school, and it was more diverse, but I still did not fit in. I didn't want to be identified by my race so I forged a few close friendships. I kept wondering, what happened after kindergarten? Why wasn't learning as fun? What happens if your teacher is too strict? Or cannot control the class? At times it didn’t seem as if all of my teachers really cared about me. How could I inspire and guide students when it seems to go downhill after kindergarten? How could I show them that I care? A few of my teachers served as beacons of greatness. They managed to teach and inspire me, while ensuring that the mood in the classroom was light. Those teachers reminded me why I wanted to be a teacher and kept that flame within me burning.
Then I finally became an educator. I remembered that great teachers provided a safe place for students to grow and learn. Finding a balance between classroom management, facilitating learning, and forging relationships would be ideal. Meeting with students, their parents, and my colleagues has opened my eyes to so much. I realized that leading is about following, listening, and learning.
As an educator I would definitely consider
myself a steward leader. In Thomas J.
Sergiovanni's article Leadership as Stewardship he quotes Mary Giella, saying "My role is one of facilitator. I listened to those who taught the children and those who were school leaders. I helped plan what they saw was a need. I coordinated the plan until those participating could independently conduct their own plans." This is the kind of leader that I strive to be.
Why did I become an
educator? I wanted to be a game changer in the educational world. Someone who
helps empower others to go forward in a responsible and positive manner.
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