Having a proud teacher moment...

[rocknrollgirl]

One of my students in my AB bio class is currently one of the fastest female milers in the country. Last w/e at the Boston Indoor Games, she posted the fasted time in the country this year. She was interviewed for the paper and I found out from another student that she had mentioned me in the interview. She is a wonderful, wonderful student and and a humble, polite young woman.
I never even knew that she paid attention to any of my sporty stuff. I mean we talk running and stuff, but I had no idea that I was inspiring her...or anyone else for that matter!

This is why I get out of bed at the crack of dark and trundle off to teach the masses. These are the moments that keep you going. Today is a good day.


Q: Who's your favorite teacher?
A: "Probably my (advanced placement) biology teacher, Mrs. (Ruth) Tummey. She's a teacher and a triathlon runner. She inspires me to do well and she has found a mental and physical balance. She has taught me about time management and does assignments in a way that we are forced to have good time management."

[Crankin]

Unless you're a teacher, it's hard to understand how special these moments are. They don't come very often.Sometime we forget that "they" are watching and taking in everything we do.
This is why every time my bike was in the classroom and the kids knew I commuted or was going to ride after school, it was making a statement.

I had one of those moments yesterday, although not as important as yours. I was working in the classroom of the teacher I am taking over for in 3 weeks.
This was the conversation:
Mrs. Maislin?
Yes?
Do you know Juliana?
Juliana who?
Juliana _______
Oh, yes. She was a great student. I thought she moved back to Brazil.
No. She said you are a great teacher and a cool teacher. You ride your bike to school. She said we are lucky to be getting you.

Believe me, 12 year olds don't give compliments very often.

[twin]

How nice for your students to have the two of you for teachers.

[RoadRaven]

Those moments are very special.
I teach adult students so I understand how fantastic this kind of feedback can feel.
Well done, you two...

[Wahine]

Well that's very cool, the both of you!!

[rocknrollgirl]

I like how she calls me a triathlon runner...cute.

[maillotpois]

Wow - very great stories.

Ruth, it sounds like you've got a pretty amazing student on your hands.

[Flybye]

There is nothing better than an inspirational teacher to a kid who is in the throes of becoming an adult - that is just great !

Do you remember when you were picking what you wanted to major in? I'll bet you picked this major so that you could have a story or two to tell like the one you just did! You are making a difference!

Great job!!

[Mr. Bloom]

Hilda Horn at John Carroll High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

She was wacky, unorthodox, cynical, but devoted. I gained my disdain for the status quo from her.

Her life revolved around her students and she challenged us to be our best. She taught English...I didn't do well for some reason...English is harder in Alabama!

She literally died at the school working late one night.

[Tri Girl]

That is very cool!!!! I like the "triathlete runner" tag. Too cute! You must really be an inspiration to her, and many others that you surely don't realize. You keep it up, RNRgirl!!! Heck, I'm impressed that you teach AP Biology. Too far over my head. :p

I'll share one of my stories.
I teach, too, so I understand how rare those moments are when you realize you impact them in more ways than you know. I teach 5th grade and the other day a 6th grader who's a bit of a troublemaker asked me about riding my bike to school. He and I got to know each other my first week at school when we had a big confrontation on the playground- and we've had many since that day. He was impressed that I rode 25 miles to school (he said the half mile he has to ride is almost too far for him). I was surprised that he was impressed, and every now and then he'll stop me and ask when I'll be riding to school again. Sometimes you just never know...
Of course, my colleagues think it's funny to ask me if I rode to work when it's snowing or raining. "Did you ride today???" hardee har har Sometimes I just say "yes" and walk away. Maybe they'll get it one day... maybe not.

[sbctwin]

Congratulations Rocknrollgirl, I believe teachers really do make a difference, no matter the grade, no matter the subject. My twin sister was a teacher in East Texas for many years. She had a difficult time at times (once having a desk thrown at her by a student), teaching 3rd thru high school in her very small district. I went down one summer and took 3 weeks to house sit for her. I was so impressed by the reaction of the 'students' whom she taught. They were so respectful of her, say 'HI, coach ***'; Hey, Coach ***; when I had to tell them I was her twin they all came back and said, "You know, Coach *** was our best teacher. She always taught us what was the most important things in our life". I was so impressed with "Coach ***" and guess what, she was my twin sister!!!! She taught math and was a coach, but most of all she IS MY SISTER.

Good going, Rocknrollgirl...your students may not say it, but they are IMPRESSED!!!!

[IFjane]

Congratulations Rocknrollgirl, I believe teachers really do make a difference, no matter the grade, no matter the subject.
Good going, Rocknrollgirl...your students may not say it, but they are IMPRESSED!!!!

Congrats! Reminds me of something that happened to me last year. Before I became a dreaded administrator, I was a classroom teacher for our local Head Start program - 3 and 4 year olds. Last year a friend (who happens to be a teacher in our local high school), came to me and brought me an assignment she had given her students - to write about the one teacher who made the biggest impression on them. One of her students - a junior in high school - had written about me! I was dumbfounded, because usually the kids don't have any recollection of their teachers prior to kindergarten or first grade. yay for me

AND YAY FOR RNRGIRL!!!!

[rocknrollgirl]

Thanks for sharing everybody. It is a tough job, teaching....the best of times and somedays the worst of times....but I do love it

AND last night, my little smarty pants runner...won the Millrose Mile at Madison Square garden in a time of 4:50, one second off the track record...I am busting out with pride this morning....


http://dyestat.com//?pg=us2008IndoorTrack101st-Millrose-Games

[Running Mommy]

(Insert pic of RM standing up and cheering for all the teachers on the board)

Being very involved in our son's school, I know just how hard your job is! I'd like to think it's not a thankless job, but I'm sure sometimes you feel that way.
Your job should be considered just as important as that of a doctor. And IMO you should be getting the paychecks that those overblown sports stars are getting!
And YES, by sharing your active lifestyle with your kids you ARE making a difference!
Keep it up all!
:)

RM