The Life Epiphany I Gained From My Students

It's not what you know but who you know.

This old cliché haunted me during the eight months that I was unemployed. I was a newlywed, a top graduate in my field, and beginning my new life as an "adult". There was just one problem though -- I apparently didn't know the right people. Interview after prayerful interview, it was just one more door closed. I hated that stupid cliché, as it was becoming so true in my life.

Granted, there is some truth to the saying. I may have had a lot of knowledge about my field, but it was not my accolades that landed me my job. It was definitely WHO I know - my faithful Savior that had a plan for me. So, after eight months of crying and pleading with God to show me what He wanted, I landed my current job as a middle school English teacher. 

Oh, I stumbled through my first full year -- actually, it probably resembled more of a drowning, flailing victim. There were MANY late nights, MANY tears, MANY headaches, and MANY times where I felt like I had chosen the wrong field. Thankfully, though, there was that blessed second year right around the corner. 

I was still no where near perfect that second year (as my students will quickly point out) and still have much to learn, but I'm happy to report that I've almost survived it!! What I do know, though, is that my students completely anihilated that cliché that haunted me during my job search.

If there was one thing that I learned VERY quickly it was this:

No amount of earthly knowledge or acquaintances would prepare me for my new title as TEACHER.

That little cliché wasn't ringing quite as true after I actually landed the job.  I've learned a new life lesson, for which I owe all credit to my students:

It's not about who you are but what you are.

Who am I? I'm an older sister and a valedictorian. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and over-achiever. I cheered for 9 years and am a sorority alum. I've made a lot of bad choices that I wish I could change. I'm a sinner, but I'm also saved by grace. I'm a newly married gal and a top graduate in my field. 

You want to know how much my students cared about all of that? NOT ONE SINGLE BIT.

What they did care about was what I was to them. 

• It's that student that thanks you with tears in her eyes for being the mother-figure that she doesn't have.
• It's the student that you've struggled to motivate all year that finally beams with a huge smile after making the highest grade in the class because you were that unfailing support that they finally quit resisting.
• It's that sweet cheerleader that you coached that really taught you more than you probably taught her.
• It's that straight-A student who suddenly starts flunking on tests, and after you pull them aside they immediately bring their performance back up because they can't stand to disappoint someone who cares so much about them.
• It's another student who says: "Remember when you told us there would come a time in the year when we wouldn't like you because the work would become increasingly more rigorous?....yep, today is that day." -- Then, they later come back and thank you for pushing them to the potential they didn't know they had.
• It's that student that thanks you time and time again for being understanding on that "really bad day" that they were having.
• It's that student that surprises you by telling you that you are their comic relief  and sense of peace throughout the day (we'll take that as a compliment).  haha
• It's the student that comes back to tell you they will pray for you because, after all, they'll never forget when you prayed them through.
  
• It's the student that comes to you when there's trouble because they see you as a source of hope and justice.

It's all this and more...I could go on for days. 

I may not be the best teacher or have the highest scores in the state. I may not have all the answers to their questions or be able to solve all their problems. I may be a short little teacher that looks more like a student than an adult. But, I've learned that who I am pales in comparison to what I am to them.

TEACHER -- It's not just who I am; it's what I do.


P.S. I challenge you to think about the same for you. All the success, fame, and fortune in the world doesn't define you. What you are to other people DOES.  Jesus was a carpenter, the Son of Mary, and man of 33. That's who He was...but I'm much more interested in WHAT He is to me --- My Savior!

P.S.S. On a less serious note, here's a teacher funny from today...

my student today: "Guys, guess what?! I was at the orthodontist yesterday and
saw Mrs. Lanza in a magazine. Our TEACHER is in a magazine!!"

The surprise of my students when they realize I actually have a life outside the classroom -- it never ceases to amaze me.

Until next time...