I Wrote This a Long Time Ago ... but it still says what I feel in my heart

Philosophy of Education

I am a teacher.

Sometimes I wonder why.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see resentment;

Resentment because I have two cars, a hot tub, and my own computer;

Resentment because I have a family that I can tell funny stories about; and a job.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see frustration;

Frustration at feeling he’ll never be as tall, or as strong, or as good looking, or as able as his friends;

Frustration at not learning to run, or to read, or to think, or to do things the way that others do.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see anger;

Anger at a world that he cannot control and a life that he does not understand;

Anger at parents, and at teachers, and at a system, for not keeping up as he has changed.

I am a teacher.

Sometimes I wonder why.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see doubt;

Doubt that any of this matters; to his life; to his future; at all;

Doubt that he can achieve; doubt that he even cares.

And I remember that what I teach that child is far less important than what that child learns about learning; and about himself.

I remember that I must talk with and listen to his parents, other teachers, the community; to him.

I remember that I cannot predict his future, only prepare him to meet it with a spark, as a lifelong learner.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see worry;

Worry that none of us care, know his interests, see his abilities, understand his background;

Worry that the world will be too different; worry that we’ll not understand what he will need.

And I remember that he is the centre of what I do and that I must know him, reassure him, guide him, toward a world that I do not know.

I remember that I care, that I nurture, that I provide an environment where he is safe to grow.

I remember too, that I must grow, must evolve, as my world, as the entire world, explodes with change.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see potential;

Potential for kindness, for politeness, for calmness, for irrationality, for explosion;

Potential for contributing through greatness; potential for harming through crime.

And I remember that if I assume the best, expect his best, give my best, accept only our best, then he will be his best.

I remember to be firm, to be fair, to be as non-confrontational with him as I expect him to be with me.

I remember that I am an example, and that through my example, I have influence.

I am a teacher.

Sometimes I wonder why.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see trust;

Trust that we will understand that what he shows us is not always the way that he is;

Trust that we will run his school to meet his needs and not force him to mold to ours.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see hope;

Hope that he will be right - for his friends, for his parents, for me; with his life;

Hope that he will please, and be pleased.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see a future.

A future bright with his energy; bright with his enthusiasm, bright with his desire;

A future waiting for him to be finished; with me; by me.

I am a teacher.

Sometimes I wonder why.

I look into the eyes of a child and I see so much.

But when I look into the eyes of that child with my heart,

I see that child’s heart.

And I let him see mine.

And without words, between our hearts,

We both know why ...

I am a teacher.