Teacher Diaries

This summer I have been working tirelessly as a Teacher Development Coach for TEACH Charlotte. I was assigned 12 career changing adults to manage as they gained Teach Like a Champion skills and techniques to utilize in the summer school classroom in order to become a successful teacher in the Fall. It might sound weird, but I have become a better teacher by teaching teachers. (Read more here)

During one of our weekly “Cohort Meetings,” TEACH Charlotte staff shared some of their background with participants, called ‘Teacher Diaries.’ It was inspiring to see such successful people tell about their most challenging moments and reflect on their naive start as a teacher. It really brought me back to why I became a teacher. So here goes my ‘Teacher Diary’ (I apologize if I have repeated myself somewhere in my many blog posts):

I always loved school. It was fun. I was social and school had lots of new faces to rename as “friends.” My teachers were nice to me and I did fairly well. *4th grade* was the year that solidified my future profession in my mind forever.

Miss Lofy was a beautiful, young 4th grade teacher. She was full of ideas to make learning fun and she made me realize that teaching was what I wanted to get into ASAP (a bit ahead of myself, I know). She even babysat us for extended stays as my mom accompanied my dad on business travel (a favorite memory, of course!). But, what Miss Lofy taught me is that success in life can be easy if you find a way to make it so. She took foreign content, broke it down, made the process of learning fun, and I remembered it all. Thus, I became a knowledgeable and successful student. This looked easy and I quickly learned that it required a lot of “behind the scenes” preparation.

After fourth grade, I had my eyes set on my destination: future teacher! I knew what I needed to do in order to successfully complete my journey as a student through elementary, middle and high school, even college. (If I had a day planner that mapped this out I would have had it color coded!) I was in love…with TEACHING.

All my extra time was spent gathering teacher items. Santa suddenly knew my infatuation and brought me a chalk board, wall map, and various teaching office supplies. (I wonder how he knew?!) As a child, I would dress in my mother’s high heels, pull her knee-high panty hose up to my hip and teach an imaginary class of stuffed animals. Sometimes we would have field trips and our van would have multiple stuffed animals buckled in! The grocery store attendant would kindly bring the cart to the car and open the door. Much to his dismay there was a lack of room in the enormous van due to my “school bus full of children.” (My mother still blushes forgetting about this precious cargo). I’d come home and go right back into my teacher role. My mom and dad would join me on their free evenings and jump into character as students. My mom was a perfect angel; raised her hand, completed her assignments; and had the neatest handwriting. My dad, on the other hand, constantly passed notes to my mom and talked out of turn. He swore it was to help me “practice,” but I knew deep inside he was a trouble maker!

I made decent grades through school, A-B Honor Roll at the least. I graduated college Magna Cum Laude and found my first teaching job with inner city students. I fell in love with diverse cultures because I spent much of my childhood in private school with predominately white students. I embraced diversity and launched full steam ahead into a job of molding the minds of  a melting pot of students. I had read numerous books about leaving a lasting impression and being an impactful teacher to needy students. Here was my opportunity to apply what I had learned!

The teacher I am now is far from what I had imaged for myself as a child. Students are not perfect. My papers are on always graded and passed out on time. My conversations with parents are intense and personal. My principal pushes me to amount to more than my dreams could carry me. I am loved. I am talented. But, man, is reality eye-opening.

I am proud I am a teacher. I smile when I think about a childhood dream becoming reality. I cherish it as I know many of my students hope for the same outcome. I love what I do. I am passionate about what I do. But my path was less than perfect.

My first 5 years I started in a Title One School in Charlotte, NC. My instruction focused more on manners and navigating the ways of the world, than it did on any content of a particular subject. I was where I needed to be. These students needed my background knowledge on life- the one gift I could give them for free. I would plan wonderful lessons but realize I might never teach them. Building relationships is what made these students succeed; not my lesson plan. I went to their games, dance recitals, and family get-togethers. I emailed, Facebooked, and texted them. They look to me as a mentor, not just a teacher. It was not just a one year thing… it’s a LIFETIME.

My story might not have lots of hiccups or a Rags to Riches fairytale, but what it does have is the result of handwork, perseverance, dedication, and a passion. Had it not been for a supportive family, an encouraging teacher, or Teacher Tips and Tricks resources I would not be here. I would not be impacting 20+ students per year. I would not be impacting 12 teachers with 20+ students per year. You do the math.

And if you ask me how it all started… as cute as the beginning of this story is, I’d tell you ‘relationships.’ I might have fallen in love with teaching long before, but I knew how to become and continue to be a successful teacher by building relationships. I know their favorite colors and TV Shows, their parent’s middle names, and the sky-high dreams of the youth. I know what they hold in their hand…their very own future.

I won’t give up. I’ll make sure their dream is their reality. After all, that’s MY story.

What is your story? Share your Teacher Diary!

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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