Grace for Educators: Encouragement for Teachersनमुना

Grace to Know Your Why

“What is your why?”

I was attending a professional development session the first time I heard this question. As I looked at the question mark that dominated the PowerPoint slide, I quietly pondered the things that make me tick.

What deeply motivates and inspires me to teach?

On the first day of kindergarten, Mrs. Betty Davis instructed her eager little ones to draw a picture of the person they wanted to be when they grew up. Her assistant, Ms. Jean, provided us with the crayons and the largest pieces of construction paper I had ever seen. These supplies were necessary in order for us to complete our masterpieces.

I drew a lady wearing a vibrant green dress, bright red lipstick, cat eye glasses, with her hair styled in a bun. This was my visual representation of a teacher.

When I was asked why I drew a teacher, I simply stated that I wanted to help people.

I have never veered from that dream, neither have I regretted entering this field.

Students, co-workers, parents, and even administrators have wounded my heart over the years, but I have never lost my desire to help people. Daily I desire to make a positive impact in the lives of others.

Today, I am several decades older than the five year old sitting on the floor in College Street Elementary School, but anytime I question my “why,” I can always travel to that place in time and feel the same zeal and passion I felt then.

I have not changed the world as I once believed I would, but when I visit the contents of my “Warm and Fuzzy” folder, I know that my journey has not been in vain.

My file cabinet has one manila folder with notes from former students, administrators, and peers. The contents of this folder always evoke an emotional response from me and allow me to reflect on positive moments from my career. I visit this folder when I need a reminder of why I do what I do.

Why do you teach?

There will be days when you may not feel appreciated, but appreciation should not be your why.

There will be days when you will feel like you are drowning in an ocean of paperwork but filling out forms is not your why.

There will be days when you will feel more motivated than your students, but your emotions are not your why.

You are called to teach.

You are called to make a difference in the life of a child. Somewhere there is a former student who would not be the person he is without your influence.

Beyond the lesson planning, formative assessments, data notebooks, and other daily demands there is a student who needs you to remember why you are leading the class. This student needs to know that if no one else believes in her, you do.

Your why is what drives you to do what you do. Do not forget your why—today’s students need it.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for the times I have become so frustrated in this profession that I forgot that You ordained me to be here. Forgive me for not realizing that just as You have been patient with me, I also must be patient with others. I thank You for the grace You have shown toward me and it is with thanksgiving and gratitude that I show that same grace to others. I ask that You will allow the gift of teaching to be stirred up within me so I can begin again. My new beginning is today and I will treat each day as a precious gift from You. You ordained me to be here and I will continue to impart wisdom into the lives of those who have been entrusted to my care. I will make a difference in my students’ lives because someone made a difference in mine. Amen.