Have you Flexed your Teacher Biceps Lately?

I recently posted about our TEACH Charlotte opening ceremony for our teacher development program this summer. It was a powerful experience, especially when a new teacher shared her “aha’s” from her first year teaching with these new teachers. [See that post here.]

Prior to this new teacher inspiring future teachers, Dr. Timisha Barnes-Jones from West Charlotte High School spoke to us all about ‘Teacher Biceps.’ She was quite an engaging speaker and I learned a lot from her experiences. Below is what she refers to as a teacher’s biceps:

• Bridge gaps and build relationships
• Inspire
• Compassion
• Empathy
• Positivity
• Support

Dr. Barnes-Jones is right! All of these qualities are necessary in order to reach students. And those teachers that strengthen their teacher biceps in the above ways demonstrate that with a strong heart, we can better an entire generation of children. She explained this type of love to be what the bible and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once referred to as Agape Love. It’s more than friendship or understanding… it’s a sacrificial love that intends good will for all men.

Teachers undoubtably play an important role in students’ lives. They help children develop a moral compass and navigate social norms to become their best selves. This requires teachers to provide instruction, guidance and correction with the opportunity to start over again fresh. Teachers don’t hold past decisions against students; they allow these decisions to be a learning experience for the student and then move forward with a clean slate. Most importantly, teachers give unselfishly on a daily basis for the betterment of their students. They do not expect students to do the same in return or even acknowledge this act. This is sacrificial love. Knowing that you as a teacher are making a brighter future by positively affecting the students in your classroom is rewarding. Eventually, this good deed will produce a better future which everyone benefits from later on down the road. It’s a gift worth waiting for- what a sacrifice!

Dr. Barnes-Jones closed with a valid statement: “you better love it because there will be days you don’t like it.” Absolutely! I love teaching, but there were days that were hard and I didn’t like it all that much. In my heart, though, I still loved teaching. There is a difference between liking what you do but not loving it, just like there is a difference between loving what you do but not liking it. The quicker you understand this difference, the better off you will be.

I know our future teachers are learning a great deal from a mentor like Dr. Timisha Barnes-Jones. She has lead numerous students, teachers and administrative staff towards success with her daily model of Agape Love.

I can only hope we have more educators flexing their teacher biceps this upcoming school year with a heart full of Agape Love!

How do you strengthen your teacher biceps?

About the author, Gretchen

I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.

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