Working at York has been a blast. Teaching is one of the most challenge, yet rewarding, experiences of my career to date. I am grateful to all the teachers who have shaped my life in the classroom and at home (my Dad is a teacher).

I often make light about how excited I am about getting to work with students, and how pumped I am. People may think it is sarcasm, but it really is not. It can be difficult, draining, and takes a lot of preparation to do well. But in all seriousness the pay back is enormous when the day goes right.

I think I owe my natural excitement and light hearted approach to teaching comes from my Dad. Who showed me a video on Guy Doud, who won teacher of the year. There are a couple of great videos of him speaking, but I think this poem he read is one of the things that has stuck with me over the years.

 

Teachers

You are the molders of their dreams
The gods who build or crush
Their young beliefs of right or wrong.
You are the spark that sets aflame
The poet's hand or lights the flame
Of some great singer's song.
You are the god of the young, the very young
You are the guardian of a million dreams
Your every smile or frown
Can heal or pierce the heart
You are a hundred lives, a thousand lives.
Yours the pride of loving them
And the sorrow too.
Your patient work, your touch
Make you the gods of hope
Who fill their souls with dreams
To make those dreams come true.

 

Teachers really can be moulders of dreams. It just takes the right attitude, thick skin and a lot of intentionality.