I can still remember the moment where one of the professors told us one of the most simple yet profound things about being a teacher. She looked around the room and shared scary statistics with us about the declining number of children graduating from high school, and how early education is a predictor of that. And then she laid it on thick. She explained to us the one thing that breaks that cycle; it only takes one adult actively involved in one child's life for one year to alter their life. One child, one adult, one year; one new direction in life. I remember being about 21 at the time, and feeling the weight of that. But even with the weightiness of that, I recall thinking "yes, this is exactly what I wanted to be a teacher in the first place." You are given a rare opportunity to touch a life, to change a life, and to leave things a little better than you found them. It was exactly what my heart beat for and at the time what I felt like I was put on earth to do.
dress: old navy/ shoes: payless / sweater: ann taylor loft
As I left teaching this past summer, I wondered if I was closing doors to helping others. But it turns out, I'm touching lives in different ways than before. I'm using the same encouraging heart to send handwritten letters to friends, extend kindness and grace to strangers, and do small things with great love. Although I am no longer a teacher, I am continually reminded that all it takes is one committed person to change the life of another.
Read about how I'm planning to touch lives here and a chance to enter my celebration giveaway here.
Share with us: How will you bless someone today?
You look cute, love this outfit! And that is so neat about being a teacher, and so great that your professor told you that because it seems like sometimes teachers might forget. But you're right, it only takes one person! We are taking our boys to a movie tonight, hope for some fun family time!
ReplyDeleteamen! this is so wonderfully said! it's so easy to just go about our business but to actually bless someone does wonders for the soul!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I love it when you say "human connection". The number of out of school youth is really rising incredibly and it's really time to do something about it.
ReplyDelete~Ronida
http://funandruins.blogspot.com
I love that dress, the colour and striped pattern are so much fun. It's such an inspiring thing to think that one person can do so much. I remember in college on my work placement working with an autistic child. The attention I paid to him was enough, one day he hugged me. He had never done that before at school. It was such a happy day that he was making a connection. It was sad when I had to leave him and go back to my studies. But I like to think I made a difference to him if only for a short time.
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