Do I believe in the power and importance of teaching and education? Of course, I do. This years marks my 25th reunion for my elementary school experience K – 8. My friends from my younger days and I have just started planning a get together to celebrate this momentous occasion. A few years ago, we had a smaller impromptu gathering. Would you believe that 3 of my favorite teachers were able to join us? To me, this is the power of education and teaching. It is the relationships and memories that make you want to reminisce and continue to be a part of each other’s lives.
This is not just my opinion. There has been research done by John Hattie, a Professor of Education and Director of the Visible Learning Labs who found that meta-analysis showed that feedback, followed by a student’s prior cognitive ability and the trust built by teachers with their students, as the most important factors in effective learning.
The three teachers that built relationships of trust were James Frey, Jim Cottingham and Nancy Ciarcia. All have moved on from my elementary school, the Villa, but all continue to teach. I am sure they still create memories with their students of today. I can remember creative writing about the life of a blade of grass. I remember being frozen with wide-open windows that kept me focused during science lessons. And, I remember chalk laughter during math lessons. We learned more than the Common Core could ever teach us. And this is why, many of us continue to stay connected.
Now that I have been teaching for almost 16 years, I understand that the trust I have with my students is what they will remember. It will not be each individual activity but the relationship we had in the classroom that will have contributed to effective learning. A colleague of mine was recently in an office where a group of teenagers happened to be talking about their elementary experience. These now Junior and Seniors mentioned my name and she sat back and just listened to the kind words they had to say about their experience in my kindergarten classroom. I am so glad that she share this story with me because it warmed my heart to know that I had made a difference in their lives.
Just like the students in this video, I want to thank the teachers who have inspired me through my years of learning.
#TeachersChangeLives, and these students are proof. Watch as students express how much their teachers mean to them.
Did you know?
- Teachers spend money every year out of their own pocket, especially in underfunded areas.
- Teachers are doing innovative things in the classroom and you can help them do more by donating
- You can donate to the teacher highlighted in the video, or a teacher in your local community
- Adopt-A-Classroom is a nonprofit organization that helps connect donors with teachers to enhance the learning environment for students
- Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom have partnered to raise awareness about teachers, and all that they do in the lives of their students
Do you have a teacher who holds a special place in your heart? Here is how you can support them!
- How to Register Your Classroom as a Teacher
- Go to Teachers Change Lives website
- Click on the red box that says “Register Your Classroom,” which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
- Follow the corresponding steps from there
- How to Donate to a Teacher
- Go to Teachers Change Lives website
- Click on the teal “Donate to a Teacher” box on the Teachers Change Lives website (http://clvr.li/1emq4KF), which will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website
- Follow the corresponding steps from there
My Mom was a teacher for over 35 years. She’s retired now and deserves it. I know she enjoyed it, and she tried to help her students.
We have so many great teachers for our kids at our school that it would be hard to pick just one! Great campaign though!
Teachers are so important. I think they have one of the most important jobs, next to parents.
My daughter is almost done with kindergarten, and I have to say that her teacher is an absolute gem. She genuinely cares for her students and lifts them up to be better than they think they can be. Teachers rock big time
Very important that teachers are recongized… great that they are life changers…very apreciative of teachers.
I think teachers need to be recognized more for their efforts, and really need to be appreciated more for what they’re doing.
I love this blog post. I have always had an appreciation and pity for good teachers. They rarely get noticed; possibly hardly even thanked.
Teachers can have an influence on their students, a lasting impression that can help mold them and provide a role model, too.
Teachers are America’s future & need better pay.