On the last day of school, I gave my fourth graders an extra
recess for the first time all year. At one point, a girl walked up and said, “Mr.
White, what’s your dream?” We talk a lot about dreaming big and working hard to
catch those dreams. It was an interesting question.
I thought of all the dreams I once had: centerfielder, park
ranger, milkman, wide receiver, ophthalmologist, sail maker, ski bum. Those had
all come and gone, some more quickly than others.
Then I thought about some of my colleagues; people with whom
I had come into the teaching profession and many with whom I had gone through
National Board Certification. A lot of those people seem to have “risen up the ranks;” and moved into leadership positions as principals, administrators, instructional
coaches, and things of that ilk.
Then I thought of myself. Here I was, doing the same job I
started doing 29 years ago, and working at the same school for the last
twenty-five years. Was there something wrong with me? Am I not dreaming
anymore?
Actually, no. There’s nothing wrong with me. And I am still
dreaming. I have looked at other options within the education profession. If I
wanted to, I could become a principal, an administrator, a coach, or whatever.
But I don’t want to. I simply prefer to teach than to support those who teach.
Not that there’s anything wrong with those other people. I have nothing but
respect for those who choose to support those of us who teach. They are
important and necessary.
But they aren’t teaching, which is what I want to be doing.
Which is why I looked at that little girl right in the eyes and
answered, “My dream is to teach fourth grade in Lynnwood, Washington.”
“But you’re already doing that.”
Exactly.
The classroom is where educators have the opportunity to make the biggest impact, one student at a time.
Living the dream! What a wonderful example, for kids and teachers alike.
Thank you for summing up how I feel about teaching. Going on 23 years in the field, with a few spent outside the classroom. The most rewarding times have been those working with kids.
Tom you and I think alike I have tried other options, but I love teaching first grade the most 29 years and counting!
Love this. Me too.
I’m with you. After dabbling in some outside-of-the-classroom work, it only reinforced that where I really want to be is in the classroom with those kids.
Poignant. And perfect. This Teacher Leader with feet outside of the classroom salutes you!