I am a Teacher

I am a Teacher

by John W. Schlatter

I am a Teacher.

      from the mouth of a child.

I have been many people in many places.

I am Socrates exciting the youth of Athens to discover new

      ideas through the use of questions.

I am Anne Sullivan tapping out the secrets of the universe

      into the outstretched hand of Helen Keller.

I am Aesop and Hans Christian Andersen revealing truth

      through countless stories.

I am Marva Collins fighting for every child's right to an

      education.

The names of those who have practiced my profession ring 

      like a hall of fame for humanity...Booker T. Washington,

      Buddha, Confucius, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Leo Buscaglia,

      Moses and Jesus.

I am also those whose names and faces have long been

      forgotten but whose lessons and character will always  

      be remembered in the accomplishments of their  

      students.

I have wept for joy at the weddings of former students, 

      laughed with glee at the birth of their children and 

      stood with head bowed in grief and confusion by graves

      dug too soon for bodies far too young.

Throughout the course of a day I have been called upon to

      be an actor, friend, nurse and doctor, coach, finder of

      lost articles, money lender, taxi driver, psychologist,

      substitute parent, salesman, politician and a keeper of

      the faith.

Despite the maps, charts, formulas, verbs, stories and

      books, I have really had nothing to teach, for my

      students really have only themselves to learn, and I

      know it takes the whole world to tell you who you are.

I am a paradox. I speak loudest when I listen the most. My

      greatest gifts are in what I am willing to appreciatively

      receive from my students.

Material wealth is not one of my goals, but I am a full-time

      treasure seeker in my quest for new opportunities for

      my students to use their talents and in my constant

      search for those talents that sometimes lie buried in

      self-defeat.

I am the most fortunate of all who labor.

A doctor is allowed to usher life into the world in one magic

      moment.

      I am allowed to see that life is reborn each day with  

      new questions, ideas and friendships.

An architect knows that if he builds with care, his structure

      may stand for centuries. A teacher knows that if he

      builds with love and truth, what he builds will last

      forever.

I am a warrior, daily doing battle against peer pressure,

       negativity, fear, conformity, prejudice, ignorance and

       apathy: But I have great allies: Intelligence, Curiosity,

       Parental Support, Individuality, Creativity, Faith, Love

       and Laughter all rush to my banner with indomitable

       support.

And who do I have to thank for this wonderful life I am so

       fortunate to experience, but you the public, the

       parents. For you have done me the great honor to

       entrust to me your greatest contribution to eternity,

       your children.

And so I have a past that is rich in memories. I have a

       present that is challenging, adventurous and fun

       because I am allowed to spend my days with the

       future.

 

I am a teacher...and I thank God for it every day.

I was born the first moment that a question leaped