This morning I read a final journal entry made by a first year
student. All
it said was "53!!!" But, it sure does say it all. I must have sat staring
motionless at
that number for a couple of minutes: staring, thinking, feeling, listening to
its
fanfare. I admit my eyes got a bit teary and my breathe slowed. I won't
decode the
message for you. I will say that it says if you really care, everything you
think, feel,
and do will resonate with faith, respect, hope, and love. If you really care,
it will
show up in the way you relate to each student, the student relates to you, and
you each
relate you yourself. Caring sets the stage for the way you experience the life
in the
classroom; it gives you the positive and uplifting strength and energy to meet
with
unwavering commitment and perseverance whatever comes your way; it's the lens
through
which you see everything around you; it controls the way you respond to every
situation
and every person.
You know, all it takes is just one caring thought, just one caring
action,
just one caring word, just one caring smile, just one caring look. That's all
it takes to
give a student comfort, confidence, faith, respect, belief, love, happiness.
That's all
it takes to help someone learn to dare to take the risk, to learn from a
mistake, to help
open a door, to destroy doubt, to endow love, to instill courage to walk
through that
door. One caring word, one caring smile, one caring look. That's not so
much. And yet,
it is so much. Small things to do, but the transforming results for both
teacher and
student can be large. Because they're small, anyone can do them,
And, I tell you, there is nothing--nothing--like getting a message
like this
one and knowing that you're making a difference in someone's life. Nothing can
match it.
It makes everything worthwhile. It's something to experience.
Make it a good day.
--Louis--
Louis Schmier www.therandomthoughts.com
Department of History www.newforums.com/L_Schmier.htm
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\
(229-333-5947) /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\____/\ \/\
/ \ \__ \/ /
\ /\/
\ \ /\
//\/\/ /\ \_ /
/___\/\ \ \
\/ \
/\"If you want to climb
mountains \ /\
_/ \ don't practice on mole
hills" -/
\
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