Do All That Your Heart Allows You

Well, yesterday was my last day of student teaching.  I was blessed to have such a rewarding experience.  I was able to build so many wonderful relationships with teachers, students, and administration that I will hold dear to my heart for the rest of my life.  So many people were extremely willing to help me with anything that I needed and to offer advice so that I could become the best teacher that I can be.  I have worked in a school during my undergrad for the last three years, so I have been able to build relationships with students before.  However, during that time I would come in about four hours a week and I would see different class periods.  I was not able to see the same students every time.  During student teaching I was able to see the same students everyday for 8 weeks (two different schools each).  I was able to learn more about them besides how they behaved in school and what type of a student they were.  I was able to understand who they were as a person.  I believe that as a teacher, building a positive relationship with every (as many as you possibly can) student, is one of the most important things I can do.  It was tough to leave my students on Friday, but I know that there will be many more students in my future that will need an adult figure to help them become the people that they will grow up to be.

I found this video today and it sort of brought up some of the same feelings I had yesterday at the end of school.  My students wrote me notes letting me know how much they appreciated my help this semester.  I know as educators many times hard work goes unnoticed or we may feel under appreciated.  But those students are very thankful for all that we do.  They may not realize it now, but they will in the future.

I hope you enjoy the video and please send it along to any educators that you know!

P.S.-The title for this post is thanks to one of my students.  Her note to me said, "You helped us as much as your heart would allow you."  Who ever said teaching is not rewarding or that teachers do not make a difference?