I have always believed that, next to health, education is the most important component people need in order to be successful. Throughout my career of over 20 years, I have tried to help students understand that idea. Money may be necessary for some aspects of life; happiness is always a plus, but education can open doors to understanding about the world in which we live and the people with whom we interact. Without education, where would we be?
Although my education began many years ago, I know I can always learn more; I'll never know it all. This is one of the main reasons I became a teacher. I always want to learn and grow.
Throughout my career I have met many interesting and challenging students. I have instructed students from ages 12 to 64, and I have learned something new about life from all of them. I have taught students who have severe learning disabilities, and I have taught those who were academically gifted. As a department chair, I also taught other teachers and did all that I could to help them have success in their classrooms. Besides procuring the necessary materials such as high interest/grade appropriate materials, I helped them write and develop a new curriculum and secured an artist in residence for our journalism, video production, and creative writing classes.
I honestly do not know how I will be able to retire from this way of life when the day comes. I know I will be able to use the internet and the public libraries (if they still exist), but when will I have such an eager and captive audience? Who will discuss literature and educational methods with me? Thankfully I don't have to worry about that for awhile.