Message
Lori Ann Bone

"My father is retired from teaching, but still has occasion to run into former students. I used to think he was being disingenuous because he would talk to them like old friends, but later, when I asked who they were, he would have no idea. I realize now that he did not want to damage the relationship that he had forged so many years ago. He knew that his attention still had the power to make that child now adult feel important, remembered, and special."

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As educators, we engage in a profession where the fruits of our labor are not ours to harvest, but a selfless gift that we pass on to future generations. Teachers give of their time, their advice, their life experience, and their knowledge so that children are able to create better lives for themselves. The power of such a sacrifice is awe inspiring, and is the reason that we are able to have such a profound impact on our students' lives. My father is retired from teaching, but still has occasion to run into former students. I used to think he was being disingenuous because he would talk to them like old friends, but later, when I asked who they were, he would have no idea. I realize now that he did not want to damage the relationship that he had forged so many years ago. He knew that his attention still had the power to make that child now adult feel important, remembered, and special.

Never forget the power of this relationship. Simple acts can have profound effects. Understand that every kind gesture, word of encouragement, and new idea is retained by each student in a unique way. I may not be able to pinpoint who taught me my love of history, science, and English, but I know that these interests were identified and cultivated by caring and astute teachers. We teach students more than reading and math. We teach them to be confident, competent individuals who will contribute positively to society. In our results oriented world, it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. Not all of our students will go to Harvard, but each of them will be enriched by the lessons we teach and the examples we set. Our goal should be to help each child find their individual path in life. We can help promote success by making sure that students have the basic tools that they will need to fully engage in the world around them. We need parents and other members of the community to recognize the importance, and the enormity of the task that educators choose to undertake. It is necessary to have their support and trust if we hope to do our jobs to the best of our abilities. Members of the community can and should become active in our school community by serving as mentors. It takes contributions from educators, parents, and community members to produce well rounded individuals capable of having meaningful lives. Teachers should recognize the noble nature of their calling, and strive to be a positive influence in each child's life every school day.