Anyone who knows me knows that I love Oprah Winfrey. I always have, and I always will. I can honestly say that I learned many life lessons from The Oprah Winfrey Show and from Oprah herself. Oprah is originally from Mississippi, and I still can't believe that my journey brought me to her home state. Oprah is also an avid reader and I grew up watching her discuss books on her show and she often brought authors on as well. Oprah is also a fierce advocate for children and education. Obviously, we are destined to be friends. She just doesn't know it yet...
I read Oprah's magazine every month. Usually it is a rushed experience because my teacher and grad-student to-do list is always on my mind. When I am really tight on time, I let myself skip to my favorite part. The very last page of every issue is called What I Know For Sure. Oprah reflects on a topic and shares her philosophy and thoughts. The topics she has covered have run the gamut, anywhere from race to friendship to self-care. I love that page because the words so genuinely come from her, and I find her to be such a thoughtful and intentional person.
Over the past two years I have hardly felt sure on anything. Is this lesson good? Did I say the right thing? Should I have submitted a referral? Should I call home? I have questioned 99% of everything I have said and done and it has been exhausting to lack confidence in what I am doing. The whole time I have wished that I knew for sure what to do. Even though I may not know how to handle every situation, I have come to form my own philosophy. Below, I am sharing my What I Know For Sure.
I read Oprah's magazine every month. Usually it is a rushed experience because my teacher and grad-student to-do list is always on my mind. When I am really tight on time, I let myself skip to my favorite part. The very last page of every issue is called What I Know For Sure. Oprah reflects on a topic and shares her philosophy and thoughts. The topics she has covered have run the gamut, anywhere from race to friendship to self-care. I love that page because the words so genuinely come from her, and I find her to be such a thoughtful and intentional person.
Over the past two years I have hardly felt sure on anything. Is this lesson good? Did I say the right thing? Should I have submitted a referral? Should I call home? I have questioned 99% of everything I have said and done and it has been exhausting to lack confidence in what I am doing. The whole time I have wished that I knew for sure what to do. Even though I may not know how to handle every situation, I have come to form my own philosophy. Below, I am sharing my What I Know For Sure.
What Ms. G Knows For Sure
What I Know For Sure is that every child deserves a strong foundation in life. Love, care, and security should be the basis for every child's beginning of life. I know that books and conversation are imperative, not just for the sake of a child's vocabulary, but for their heart. I know that reading connects us with people of different places, backgrounds, and socioeconomic situations. I know that one must read in order to understand.
I know that when children are neglected early on in their lives, it affects them in immeasurable ways. I know that sixth graders are old enough to see what is lacking in their lives, but they are also too young to do much about their situations. I know that children notice how you speak to them, and that although they may act unaffected, they always are. I know that genuine attention and care mean the world to them. I know that showing up at basketball games and choir concerts is always noticed. I know that they may not say it, or even show it, but they do appreciate you being there.
I know that when children are not raised to value education, they most likely will not, until someone can disrupt that thinking for them. I know that if a child is not raised to value reading a life-long battle with literacy begins. I know that children can feel the apathy of adults from a mile away and revolt against it immediately. I know that students don't always know what to make of a calm, loving, and tender teacher. I know that over time, they begin to truly trust you. I know that when they do, it changes everything.
I know that teachers are under-appreciated, under-paid, and overworked. I know that teachers put their own money into their classrooms on a weekly basis. I know that teachers run to Walmart to buy pencils and paper for students that never have them. I know that teachers worry about their students when they get into bed at night, and wake up hoping for a good day with wins sprinkled throughout.
I know that teaching at a Title I school is not for the faint of heart. I know that it is the responsibility of a lifetime. I know that my students, although not always the best behaved or most respectful, are dynamic and multi-layered.
I know they are fully capable of so many things.
I know that becoming a teacher is the best thing I never knew that I wanted. I know that my students have changed me forever. I know that I am grateful to know them.
What I Know For Sure is I am better for knowing and teaching my students.
I know that I view the world differently. I watch the news differently. In some ways, I am much more cynical.
But when it comes down to it, I know for sure that I have more hope.
What I Know For Sure is that every child deserves a strong foundation in life. Love, care, and security should be the basis for every child's beginning of life. I know that books and conversation are imperative, not just for the sake of a child's vocabulary, but for their heart. I know that reading connects us with people of different places, backgrounds, and socioeconomic situations. I know that one must read in order to understand.
I know that when children are neglected early on in their lives, it affects them in immeasurable ways. I know that sixth graders are old enough to see what is lacking in their lives, but they are also too young to do much about their situations. I know that children notice how you speak to them, and that although they may act unaffected, they always are. I know that genuine attention and care mean the world to them. I know that showing up at basketball games and choir concerts is always noticed. I know that they may not say it, or even show it, but they do appreciate you being there.
I know that when children are not raised to value education, they most likely will not, until someone can disrupt that thinking for them. I know that if a child is not raised to value reading a life-long battle with literacy begins. I know that children can feel the apathy of adults from a mile away and revolt against it immediately. I know that students don't always know what to make of a calm, loving, and tender teacher. I know that over time, they begin to truly trust you. I know that when they do, it changes everything.
I know that teachers are under-appreciated, under-paid, and overworked. I know that teachers put their own money into their classrooms on a weekly basis. I know that teachers run to Walmart to buy pencils and paper for students that never have them. I know that teachers worry about their students when they get into bed at night, and wake up hoping for a good day with wins sprinkled throughout.
I know that teaching at a Title I school is not for the faint of heart. I know that it is the responsibility of a lifetime. I know that my students, although not always the best behaved or most respectful, are dynamic and multi-layered.
I know they are fully capable of so many things.
I know that becoming a teacher is the best thing I never knew that I wanted. I know that my students have changed me forever. I know that I am grateful to know them.
What I Know For Sure is I am better for knowing and teaching my students.
I know that I view the world differently. I watch the news differently. In some ways, I am much more cynical.
But when it comes down to it, I know for sure that I have more hope.