A Few Kind Words

A Few Kind Words

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a teacher? Have you daydreamed about how it would feel to be the one writing on the chalkboard? Did you ever give any thought to how much work and effort goes into planning your daily lessons? Probably not. Neither did I, up until a few years ago. So, for my very first column as the School Issues Opinion Editor for the T-Zine, I think I'll take you all back . . . way back . . . to when I was 11 years old and in the 6th grade. It was the school year that the Yankees swept the Padres for the World Series title, and my first year as a member of a club called the World of Difference.

The World of Difference is a group of kids, grades 5-8, who spend the better part of the school year teaching 3rd graders about tolerance and acceptance. We're part of this generation's movement to eliminate racism from our schools, and when I joined that club in the first week of my 6th grade year, I was convinced that I would be successful. In my heart I knew that if what I taught those 3rd graders eliminated one future bully from their ranks, or taught but one 8 year old that the character of a person is what really matters, then my job would be done. This was my very first experience as a teacher, and it was great to be on the other side of the classroom for a change. However, by the end of the year, though I myself would never judge another person by their race or religion, I was afraid that the club did not live up to its name. At our last meeting in June, we were all somewhat depressed about our 'lack of success' with the elementary school kids, but we had so much fun that year that we all swore we'd stay in the World of Difference for the rest of our years in the middle school.

Let me take you ahead two years. I was 13, and in the 8th grade. As promised, I had joined the World of Difference yet again, even though I believed that I hadn't made one at all. During the first meeting we held, we all sat in a circle and went around telling the group why each of us had joined the World of Difference and not some other club. What I heard surprised me to no end. The 5th graders who had joined that club for the very first time without prior knowledge of the instructor, or of the other students in the club had joined not because they thought it was fun, but because we had made a difference in their lives two years before. The lessons and activities that my friends and I had taught and overseen really did make a World of Difference. I was inspired, elated, and excited beyond belief. We threw ourselves into the activity planning for that year; all of our enthusiasm had returned with just a few words from a 5th grade student.

I know for a fact that I'm not the only person who has had an impact upon a classroom full of students. I'm sure that each and every one of you can think of at least one teacher who was kind to you, inspired you, or even went out of their way to help you through tough times. Teachers change lives. There aren't enough words in the dictionary to express the profound impact teachers have had on mine. I owe my love for writing to a very special teacher I had in the 2nd grade. I can name at least 5 who I will remember to the very end of my days.

However, I can name more than twice as many who have made my learning experience completely miserable. Although there are some teachers who just aren't nice people, most of the Scrooge's of the educational system have been teaching for most of their lives. And probably, at one time, they were enthusiastic and wonderful people, full of hope for the futures of all of their students. But they no longer hold such high ideals; they no longer believe that they can make a difference. How could this happen? How could such a wonderful teacher turn into such a humbug?

After my brief stint as a teacher, I can speak from personal experience when I explain why. Most teachers are never told that their presence in your life matters. No one ever breathes a word to them about the difference they have made. They'll never know that their class was enjoyable or inspiring, just because their students neglected to tell them so at the year's end. And after a while, under the impression that they've done nothing for you, and nothing for the world, they just stop trying. They slip into a cynical frame of mind and become . . . well . . . you know how teachers like that are.

We as students cannot let our coolest teachers turn out to be bitter and mean! This whole column thus far has given example after example of times when just one person had an incredible impact on the life of another. So I ask you, no, I beg you: thank your teachers. Does your math teacher make you laugh? Tell him that his humor makes the class fly by. Did your English teacher's words of wisdom inspire you to get an account here at Writing.Com? Drop a note on their desk to tell them so. Did a few kind words from your science teacher help you through tough times? Leave a card in their mailbox - because you have to let them know. Trust me on this one; a few kind words really can make a World of Difference.

Dedicated to a few teachers who have made me a better person: Dr. R (2nd grade), Mr. S (grade 8 English), Mrs. D (WOD club), Mrs. S (elementary strings), Mr. C (grade 7 history), Mr. W (orchestra), and Mr. S (grade 9 biology).

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