The Power of Words

When anyone hears a teacher talk about the power of words everyone assumes either there is bullying going on or the teacher is going to go on and on about how teachers need to choose their words carefully when speaking to their students. I do not want to talk about either.  I want to talk about events that happen in school and few hear about, words students say to teachers, specifically high school students.

There are so many kind, sweet and caring teenagers in our high school.  I teach a College Readiness class that I totally enjoy teaching but is completely and totally exhausting.  I guess I looked exhausted after a particularly busy class because a student (I will call  Anne) followed me out to the hallway to speak to me after class.  She talked about a recent graduate and how much he loved being in college and how much he gave me credit for helping him build confidence to attend college.  She went on to say that she knew teaching the class was hard and exhausting for me but I should be proud because I am changing lives.  What a sweet and kind young lady!  She not only recognized someone who needed to hear something positive she also took the time to say it.  It made me week!

Teaching high school has it's challenges, like all jobs, but it is the place to see some absolutely wonderful teenagers.  There are teenagers that truly care about their teachers and classmates.

They volunteer their time.

They look out for students that are hurting.

They tell adults when students need interventions
They hold the door for teachers that have their hands full.
They sign emails " Hope you have a marvelous Friday"
They greet teachers in the hallways.
They make me smile.
They are beautiful inside and out!

My job may not be perfect but I could not imagine doing anything else!