Tomorrow is my first day back to school. I am excited and looking forward for the new year. I love change; it keeps life fresh and exciting and I also love the feeling that I am more confident and prepared to be an effective teacher.
Below is an e-mail that I wrote back in April during parent-teacher conference week. I am extremely grateful to be where I am today and to have a job in a scarce market, especially because I know many good people who will make great teachers one day who are struggling to find work.
Mr. Leventhal (Leventhug),
I just got home from parent-teacher conferences, and some parents relayed powerful messages to me from their kids. This reminded me of how important it is to thank those who have inspired you and to tell people how much you appreciate them. Sorry that this is five years late.
My mom told me she ran into you at conferences a few months ago. She told me you showed her where I spent most of my time during English class--the hallway. She also said she informed you of what has been happening in my life. I am about to finish my first year of teaching English at ********** High School and it has been a life changing year with plenty of ups and downs and corkscrews-but ultimately it has been one of the greatest experiences of my life, and I feel so fortunate and lucky to have found my niche doing something that I love and something that I find purposeful.
I cannot attribute exactly where I got the idea that I would make a good teacher or enjoy teaching as a profession-but I do know who inspired me the most: you. I always felt that my personality was valued in your classroom. I felt comfortable and knew that I could express myself; I think I really needed that in high school. I learned so much about subjectivity and I began to really value approaching life with an open mind, and I was influenced by your equanimity. I learned so much by having the freedom to explore, and I personally felt that school should always be like that. I started envisioning myself as a teacher, but it was only a fantasy.
You also gained my respect by putting me in my place when it was needed. I sometimes had to be told that I was wrong or that I had stepped out of line-and I appreciate that more now than I did then, but it still helped me to have a better sense of myself and to learn who I was and what I believed was right.
When it was time to go to college I knew that I had to step it up and grow up. I realized that my dream was achievable; I set a goal and never looked back.
I have learned this past year that teaching is much harder than it looks and it is very demanding. Summer has a new meaning. But I also realized that the allure of teaching--the idea that you can make a difference in someone's life--is so rewarding. I have never felt as high in my life as the moments when I have impacted a student and receive positive feedback--or any moment when a genuine connection is made in, or outside of the classroom with a student.
I also learned how important it is to show people that they've connected with you or made a difference. Thank you Mr. Leventhal. You are an amazing teacher.
Sincerely,
-Dave Brown
I am so thankful for the life I was given and for those who surround me and have helped and influenced me on this journey.
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