It's been in the news lately: the long range impact of teachers. So, what's new? Let me briefly tell a true story of something that happened last Tuesday morning before this study hit the headlines, and that shows the new news of a teacher's impact, while true, is really old news. It was one of those "in the strangest place, at the strangest time" place and time. Susan and I were driving home that morning from Atlanta after spoiling rotten our California grandmunchkins for two weeks.. About mid-way between Atlanta and Valdosta, we stopped at a McD for a pitstop. While I waiting for Susan, a UPS driver, who had delivered a package to the store's manager, walked by me. He took a few steps, stopped, turned, and said, "You Dr. Schmier?" I told him I was. He then told me that he had been a student in our class his first semester at VSU way back in 1997. After recovering from my surprise, we chatted for a few minutes. With a self-demeaning look on his face and tone in his voice, he told me that he had not listened to me and let his lack of self-confidence get in the way of graduating from VSU's business school as anything better than a "not-so-hot" student and "wound up as 'just' a UPS driver. It's no big deal." Those words, "just" and "no big deal" suddenly sent my antennae sky-high and imprinted a seriousness on my smile. I looked at him with a different expression. Here's part of our brief, unexpected conversation:
Before I could say a word, he said somewhat apologetically, "I know what you're going to say about what I just said." "What I am I going to say?" I asked "That I was never 'mediocre' and what I am doing is a big deal." "Well?" "I guess that's true." "'I guess?' Doesn't sound and look like you believe it. You're being defensive." "I know, but other people…." I cut him off. "Forget 'other people.' Stop listening to them! You don't have to prove anything to anyone other than yourself. You want proof of why you should stop defending yourself? You want to know why you should stand tall? You want to know why you should ignore anyone who looks down on you or dismisses you. including yourself, because you're 'just' a UPS driver? Think about this. What you're doing is a big deal. You're playing a vital role, a vital role, in society. You're forgetting UPS's motto. What would have happened to everyone's festival smiles if you hadn't been delivering holiday gifts? Where would this or any other business be if you didn't deliver packages such as the one you gave to the manager? Where would HSN, QVC, the whole of the online business, and my wife be if you people didn't deliver our orders? How would my wife and I have our daily glass of wine if our monthly wine club order wasn't delivered by a UPS driver? Where would your wife and kids be if you didn't have this good paying job? You don't think all of this makes you and what you're doing important?" "Didn't think of it that way. Always the teacher. You know, I wasn't wild about being pushed in your class with being in a community and relying on others, writing journals and issue papers, and doing projects. But, I want you to know, a lot of times I've thought of you, especially when I got down on myself, through all these years, while I was at VSU and after, and not feeling I was as good as you said I could be, much less a success, and that I found thinking of you was a 'pick-me-up.' Until now, I really didn't know why you of all people would pop into my head in such times." "Why?'" "Maybe because you were the only one who noticed me in class, talked to me, believed in me, and once said I was 'a somebody' who was as good as anyone else, and I really wanted to believe that I'm doing something 'in spite of' being 'just' a UPS driver. I would say to myself, 'No, he believed in me. So, I've got to believe.' That has kept me going." "'In spite of?' There's no 'in spite of.' You know being important, or being a success, is not only about having a a GPA, a particular job and salary, or driving a special car or living in a type of house. Being successful is so much more than that. It's doing what you love and loving what you do for others. I'll tell you this, I'll guarantee it, when you take to heart what we're saying, when you honestly believe that you are more than an insignificant 'just' or a meaningless 'in spite of,' and truly believe that you are important and what you do is important, when you stop being embarrassed and apologizing for working for UPS, when you respect yourself and what you do, when you realize how much you are serving others, you'll feel a meaning and purpose to what you do and who you are; you'll be at peace with yourself and be a heck of lot happier than you now appear to be, and everyone around you will respect you and be happier. And, if they are not, that's their problem and screwed up values, not yours. You are somebody. And, don't let anybody take that away from you; nobody can without your permission and cooperation. So, stop letting them do that. Do you hear what I'm saying?" "Yes, sir. This is so weird. I feel like I'm back in your class with it's life lessons, and now I've got this unexpected chance to say 'thanks,' twicde. So, 'thanks, and thanks again.'" And with a twinkle in his eye, he finished our conversation with a "Boy, you've given me a lot to think about and talk over with my wife, but right now I've got to run and make my deliveries--and be 'important.'" "Thank you for your gift of 'thanks.' You made my day." "We made each other's day." I agreed. We hugged and then shook hands, "Keep in touch," I said as I gave him my e-mail address and cell phone number. "I will." I hope he does. What a way to start off the new year and get ready for a new semester! A couple of take-aways: first, when engaged or submitting to assessment, remember we are futurists, and do not always know--students don't always know--the impact we have; second, as the rabbis says, if you don't unconditionally believe in, have hope for, and love each student, you don't really believe in, have hope for, and love any student; third, we have ended a formal festive holiday season of lights, Kwanzaa lights, Christmas lights, and Chanukah lights. But, the light should burn and last longer than a few weeks. Light is a symbol of creation, a symbol of life, a symbol of truth, a symbol of hope and faith and love, a symbol of beginning, a symbol of goodness, a symbol of generosity, a symbol of empathy and compassion, a symbol of exposing and banishing darkness. So many students need light to be brought into their lives; and we need to be the light to brighten up their way--and maybe our own way. That is our true task; that is our daunting task; that is our purposeful task. We should lighten up our classroom and struggle to insure that the power of light lasts beyond a term. In fact, we should struggle to increase the power of that light as time goes by, one day at a time, not by information, credentialing, testing, or grading so that it will not go out after a holiday celebration or an academic term is over. No, we should do it by our spirit that surrenders to the deep gratification of sincerity, the satisfaction of purpose, the joy of meaning, and the fulfillment of significance; a spirit that see's education is about people, not merely about information or skill sets or research and publication or acquiring promotion and tenure. In the strangest places at the strangest times. In a McD for a pitstop. With an ex-student I haven't seen or heard from in nearly fifteen years. Strange. I don't ask. Make it a good day -Louis- Louis Schmier http://www.therandomthoughts.edublogs.org<http://www.therandomthoughts.edublogs.org/> Department of History http://www.therandomthoughts.com<http://www.therandomthoughts.com/> Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ (O) 229-333-5947 /^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__ / \ / \ (C) 229-630-0821 / \/ \_ \/ / \/ /\/ / \ /\ \ //\/\/ /\ \__/__/_/\_\/ \_/__\ \ /\"If you want to climb mountains,\ /\ _ / \ don't practice on mole hills" - / \_ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=15173 or send a blank email to leave-15173-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
