“I want students to come away with a capacity for strong analysis and deep thinking. Anything that they encounter, anything that they approach, they’re able to look at it independently and critically and really understand things on a deeper level than I think most people often do … make them really valuable members of society.”

“My favorite part about my job is probably the interactions with the students. I think that kids can and are learning a lot about the world around them, and hearing their perspective on things is just really interesting and a fun part about the job. And it just keeps you young.”

“If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don’t have to worry about answers.” — Thomas Pynchon, Gravity’s Rainbow

 

One of the most important parts of  teaching is realizing that while the information you teach is incredibly important, teaching life skills is paramount. The goal should be to make sure every student leaves with the ability to critically analyze every situation that comes to them so that they ask the right questions; so that they seek the right answers. Once they start asking those questions and seeking those answers themselves, we will have done our job well.

Teaching is a reward. It’s a privilege to guide a child on their journey, and to witness their growth. There is joy in helping them develop skills they lack while honing skills they already possess. A sense of pride overcomes you watching a child leave your class better than when they entered.

Teaching has shaped me just as much as I hope to shape my students. It has taught me patience, empathy, and the value of truly listening. But what I love most is being part of the bigger picture. Contributing to the growth of kind, thoughtful human beings, and helping students discover the things that light them up. That, to me, is what it’s all about.