Sad Goodbye!

Yesterday was the last day of the semester. Not sure why, but I was disappointed to see it end. I became attached to one of my classes of preservice teachers. I see so much potential for the future in this group!They really seem to understand what it will take to change the world 20-25 kids at a time. One of the coolest things about this group is that they all left as successful bloggers. None of them blogged at the beginning of the semester. Here they are--

I was touched this morning by a post Erin made--
"I have learned so much about teaching, about who I want to be as a teacher, and really I have learned a lot more about myself. It's really a nice feeling, to know that so far by persuing your goals you are becoming more of who you dreamed you could be and everyday here at school i'm just getting one step closer. To me that is amazing."
She goes on to question whether she will teach after her program finishes. I sure hope she does-- children will lose if she doesnt.

In another post Erin wrote this in response to something she was moved by on Darren Kuropatwa's blog

The reason I chose the teaching profession was to make a difference. I was inspired by the teaching profession in the profound way you have the ability to make a difference in a child's life.

... I have always thought that even if I just make a difference in one, one single child's life I would be completely happy and feel rewarded. This quote just says exactly how I feel; atleast I would have done something for that one child and hopefully he/she is better for it, maybe they will be grateful their whole lives, maybe they won't even know, or don't care to say, but I know that if I didn't take the time or effort to help that one child, or many children, they would all be "missing a drop".

The reason I chose the teaching profession was to make a difference. I was inspired by the teaching profession in the profound way you have the ability to make a difference in a child's life. This quote moves me because I have always thought that even if I just make a difference in one, one single child's life I would be completely happy and feel rewarded.

This quote just says exactly how I feel; atleast I would have done something for that one child and hopefully he/she is better for it, maybe they will be grateful their whole lives, maybe they won't even know, or don't care to say, but I know that if I didn't take the time or effort to help that one child, or many children, they would all be "missing a drop".

Pam posted this on her blog.

As pre-service teacher, I wonder about a lot of things. Am I the right person for this job? Will I be able to provide a stimulating enough environment for my students? Will I be able to get the point across to the students? Am I ready for the big adventure!!??

I have heard that if you question about these types of things, then you are already showing how much you care about the profession you are getting into. If you care about something that much, then you will try your hardest to be a good as you can be.

I know that I do care about teaching and I know that I want to be a great teacher. When I hear all this great advice from my edu professors at William and Mary, I quickly write it down and I tell myself to make sure that I do that in my classroom. I know that it will be hard the first year, but even in the first year I do not want my first year students to miss out on anything cool, special, or creative. I want to give it my all every year that I teach. 

How I feel about being a teacher is summed up in this quote, "When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece." John Ruskin
I just need to make sure that my skill equals my love for teaching!!

That is a powerful quote. Pam's not John Ruskin. "I just need to make sure that my skill equals my love for teaching!!"

My prayer, is that in my helping to prepare the next generation of teachers, that somehow I can inspire that "love" as I am helping them explore ways to leverage the Web in their instruction.

Rachel, another one of the fabulous teachers pictured above understands...

Oh, the frustrations of teaching begin. And here is my concern as a beginning teacher: I love technology! I welcome it, embrace it, and encourage it...unfortunately the rest of the world is a little more reluctant. So many people in the world are still stuck in the "Oh, we didn't need that stuff when I was coming along, so why do you need it now?" mindset.

Face it people...TIMES ARE CHANGING, like it or not!!! Technology is new, it's different; it's the way of the future! This is what it boils down to: the students who have exposure to technology willl have that extra edge in the real world. They'll get the big breaks and be snatched up quickly out of high school and college.

These posts are just the tip of the iceberg! There are too many profound quotes to share them all here but you can read for your self by visiting the suprglu site where I have them all linked.

Yes. I will indeed miss this group. They have been a joy to watch grow and I have learned so much from them. Keep your eye on their blogs! This group of preservice teachers will be the change agents who will help to implement what many of us out here in the blogosphere have been chanting for so long.

Comments

[Darren Kuropatwa]

The new template looks great!

"Sad Goodbye" is a good title. Last semester I also found it a little harder to "say goodbye" to my students after blogging with them for five months. I think it'll be even harder at the end of the school year when, like you, all my students will be graduating and moving on. The combination of blogging with a f2f class really enriches the personal relationships in the classroom. Not only between the teacher and the students but amongst them as well. You really struck a chord with this one ... an E minor. ;-)

[Art Burdick]

Professor Nussbaum-Beach, Thanks for a great class, I really enjoyed your thoughts, perspectives, and encouragement. I hope I can become half the teacher you are.

thanks again
Art