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.

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.