Dear Teacher,
In a few short weeks I am moving onto a new and unknown future – retirement. I am taking a step forward while at the same time glancing back over my shoulder at all I am leaving behind. The reflections of 100s of students, colleagues who shaped my career and parents look at me as I make my way toward the front door one last time. Too many names to mention, too many stories to share and not enough time to give it all justice in one letter. But… some words are meant to be left behind for all those who remain and share the same passion I did for thirty years.
Teachers, let me remind you why you are a teacher ~ starting with all the reasons why you are not teaching…
Common core curriculum, standardized tests, reading guarantees, PARCC, teacher evaluation systems, MAP/MPG testing, creating better lesson plans, essential understandings, Marzano and the list can go on and on and on.
None of these things defines you and gives you the title of teacher. All of the above are the ways the state board of education, social media and people with no education backgrounds rate you. They do not know you and your heart for children. They do not enter the trenches where you face challenges, successes and everything in between on a daily basis.
Google tells us that a “teacher is a person who teaches, especially in a school”. A very generic definition for a job that is anything but that. You are so much more than a person who teaches – you are a role model for every child who has ever walked into your classroom. Teach.com defines a role model as:
Teachers you are amazing and I see all the potential and passion you pour into your jobs each day.
- You know the needs of your students sometimes even before they do.
- You love your students even on the days that love is the farthest thing from your mind.
- You know your students so well that you can ask them about their dog, their siblings or their favorite sport
- You learn things about your students that break your heart to the point that you would give anything to make it better for them
- You know the curriculum but you don’t need a high stakes test every couple of months to tell you where to head in your instruction
You see straight into the heart of your students and that is so much more than just teaching!
A piece of who I am will remain in the hearts of each of my students and in each of you. The legacy is yours to carry forward. I encourage you to always know that you are a teacher because of every student who sits in front of you each school year.
You teach, therefore you…
encourage
inspire
love
make a difference
empower
[Tweet “Teachers inspire, listen, believe and love children into knowing they can succeed.”]
When I am asked what my job is I proudly tell them “I am a teacher”. It has been my greatest honor, passion and joy for the last 30 years. I pray that each of you grows your legacy through each success story, every sound of excitement and laughter you foster in your classroom, and all the love that you leave behind in your students.
Leaving you soon, but with you forever!
An almost retired teacher
Blessed to be linking with:
#DanceWithJesus linkup @ susanbmead
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement! I have been teaching for almost 8 years (it is my second career.) I have mostly taught in private school, and now I am working on my MAT to get my master’s and state certification. I loved your post! Teaching is so much more than tests and paperwork. I will be sharing your post with my teacher friends! 🙂
I am glad I found your post from Susan Mead’s link-up today.
So glad to see a new friend here at my little blogging home. I love the connection we have and how God placed in your heart to stop by. Who knew how much we would have in common? Praying that all teachers know who they are and why they are teaching. There is too much emphasis on everything else but kids today. Have a blessed weekend!
What a beautiful testimony of why teachers teach. My own daughter is looking for her first permanent teaching job right now. Her heart is so fresh and eager to begin this path you are retiring from. Thanks for sharing this encouragement to go forth, knowing that it can last a whole career.
How wonderful that your daughter is beginning her career as I am ending mine. I pray that she finds a “just right” job that fuels her passion and fills her heart with love. Thank you for the encouragement and for stopping by here. Blessings for a beautiful weekend.
I feel like I can relate to being a teacher, since a counselor, life-coach and small group leader are all titles I carry and have similar purposes and passions. I have often thought how becoming a teacher would have been my next career choice. And you definitely hold all of the things a teacher should be and do, Mary. You inspire and empower us here as well. You are in my prayers as you make this big leap into the unknown of retirement, my friend! Many blessings to you!
I imagine that a counselor carries the same passion, courage and empowerment that a teacher does. When you focus on people, your heart needs to remain open and your mind needs to embrace the good, bad and ugly. Your words lift me and empower me friend. I am truly blessed. Happy weekend.
Wonderful! Oh, that my children could always have teachers with as much passion and dedication! I know you must have touched numerous lives and made such an impact. Enjoy these last few days of school – and more than that, look forward to a new beginning in your retirement!
Thank you so much for your words of encouragement. I pray all teachers feel the passion even after 30 years in the classroom. I am enjoying these final days with bittersweet emotions and all the feelings you can possibly feel. Thank you for being part of my community here at Passage Through Grace. Hope you week has been blessed.
Beautiful and inspiring, Mary! May you know the fruit of your labor! Blessings on these final weeks .. 🙂
Thank you for your sweet words and for prayers as I end well and journey to the end of this career. May my sequel become a journey that honors God in a new way and with new passions. Love that you visited today. Happy weekend!
Teachers play such a significant role in the lives of children. I still remember how I was encouraged by a few teachers when I was younger. You have impacted so many lives, and I will leave His imprint eternally on their hearts. I’m so excited for you!
Being a teacher is a big responsibility and I am honored that God entrusted me with so many children over the years. I am blessed by sharing love with these children for 30 years. I love your sweet words and how I will need to come back just to remind myself that my sequel will happen only because I allowed God to put me where I was for the first half of my life. You bless me Barbie and I am so thankful for you. Love and hugs!
Thank you so much for the encouragement in this post! These are the kinds of reminders we all can use. Thank you for your years of faithful service and congratulations on your retirement. May God continue to fill your cup to overflowing!
Your sweet words are ones that I will carry with me always. We have so much to be grateful for when we step back and look to the source who provides all our goodness. I pray that others are encouraged by these words and learn that letting God take the lead in our lives will produce beautiful things. Blessings!
Amen! We certainly don’t teach for the money ;). I do it for the kids and because I love them–and that love really is the key to helping kids learn. If they know we love them, they’ll be willing to learn. Congratulations on all those years of loving kids. May your next journey be filled with just as much excitement and joy!
I know you know and I love that connection between us. I have always thought that teaching is the best profession there is and I have been blessed to live this out for 30 years. I am praying that all teachers focus on the love that they provide for their students and know that this gift is exactly what their students need. Hope your week has gone well. Blessings!
I have three teachers in my family but even before they became teachers I always felt a teacher was one who left a profound impact in the life of many. I actually just recently asked my boys who was their favorite teacher growing up. It was fun to listen to them both talk about their faves. And your name friend is one I imagine will be mentioned by many for years and years to come.
Much love to you as the day draws near.
xoxo
I love that your sons named their favorite teachers. In the middle of going to school, kids need to reflect on the many years and remember the impact of teachers and how they felt along the way. Your encouragement always blesses me and I love seeing you here at my place. Love and hugs!
Hi Mary! I just keep thinking that your expertise will be missed, not to mention your love for teaching. We need more teachers like you, especially in this time of bigger class sizes and fewer teachers in the classroom.
You are more than ‘teacher’! You are a cheerleader, supporter, listener, corrector, and parental figure too. It’s a wonderful calling, and you have done it well, good and faithful servant. I hope you feel that way always.
Blessings!
#RaRa Linkup,
Ceil
Your sweet words have really touched me today. Saying I have done it well, good and faithful servant means more than any other words you could have said to me. Teachers are more than teachers but that is what makes this job what it is. I am praying that all teachers feel as blessed as I have been in their own careers. So blessed you stopped by! Love you!
Mary,
As a former teacher (that’s not really true because you never stop teaching and encouraging in life), I applaud your career and wish you much needed relax and rejuvenate time in your retirement. My daughter is also a teacher and I believe, after being a parent, the next most difficult role in life is that of being a teacher. So many hurdles, yet SO rewarding. Celebrating with you all the lives you have touched, encouraged and loved upon.
Blessings to you,
Bev xx
Teaching is challenging but so rewarding. I have been blessed by the chance for God to use me in this way for 30 years. I love hearing that your daughter is a teacher and one that I pray she finds rewarding over the years. Your sweet words truly blessed me today.
Oh Mary, what a beautiful letter you have written for those who will remain in the trenches as you move into your next phase of life. I have so much respect for teachers. Our children are truly blessed by you all. I can’t even imagine what an amazing teacher you have been over the years, but I know you are nothing short of spectacular :). Thank you for your many years of beautiful, loving service to those precious deserving children.
I have been so blessed to teach because it wraps my passion together with my job. It has been a beautiful 30 years. My prayer is that all teachers who are left behind feel that what they are doing is making a difference and not get bogged down by the policies and mandates. Thank you for your ought words. I appreciate your encouragement so much. Love and hugs!
Mary, I love this graphic! It encourages me as a homeschooling mom. Want to remember: inspire, encourage, empower, and LOVE! May your last weeks at work be greatly blessed, friend.
#RaRaLinkup #TestimonyTuesday
Thank you for your sweet words. They encourage me in these last few weeks. As the emotions are swirling, I will remind myself that God gave me this passion for a reason and when my last day arrives my life will continue for His glory. It’s an end but also the beginning of something new. I love having you here and am cheering you on as you homeschool and empower your own children.
Lovely post! I was a speech language pathologist in the public school system for two years. That was enough for me! I thought it would be my dream job! Cheers to you for hanging in there. WE NEED good teachers, and I’m thankful our sons have had some great ones already! Praying for you and ALL teachers right now. It is a hard job. I’m lucky to go to a private practice outpatient clinic today. Things are run differently than the public schools there for sure. However, we need public education. I survived it, and our boys will too.
Enjoy retirement! Jenn
My sister in law is a speech pathologist in the public schools but has also done private practice work. The bottom line is that her heart is for the kids and I know yours is too. It shouldn’t matter the venue because God has a purpose in our passion. Teaching is a joy because of the students who cross our path each day. Thank you for cheering me on! I applaud you for your dedication too. Have a blessed rest of the week.