Words from Teachers

It’s amazing how far a kind word goes.  After struggling with high flying students and getting discouraged over my lack of success with them, I decided to email the parents of my really good kiddos.  I can think of few things that make me feel better than saying nice things about other people.  I’m only half way through my list of kiddos, but I’ve received many emails back from parents telling me how much they appreciate a nice note instead of a nasty gram.  One of the parents went as far as to email my principal to tell her how much she appreciated my note home!  Despite words of affirmation being my love language, I often forget just how important positive words are to others.    

As an educator especially, it is so important for me to be pouring into my students and encouraging them to grow.  Proverbs 15:4 says, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.”  Have I been speaking gentle words of encouragement to all of my students?  It’s easy to be nice to the kids who always follow directions, but have I been speaking gentle words to my irksome students?  I need to find simple ways to encourage my behavior problem kids, not only to keep from crushing their spirit, but also for my sanity!   

I remember back to comments teachers said to me in school.  In high school, teachers like Ms. King and Mr. Burnett saw something in me past just the frumpy mess, and encouraged me.  So much of who I have become is due to the kind words of teachers.  My English teacher, Ms. King, took a previously homeschooled student who had never written a paper in her life and helped me see that I could be successful.  Not only did she express kind words in class, she made an effort to come to my choir concerts and brag to my parents how wonderful I was in and out of class.  Mr. Burnett, my drama and stage tech teacher praised me for the bold choices I made in monologues and my willingness to learn in everything lighting and sound.  My passion and talent for music was spurned on by all of the choir teachers because they told me I have a talented voice and they gave me constructive criticism on how to become even better.  In college my favorite professors saw talents and told me what they saw.  It’s these people (plus countless others) who took the time to pour words of affirmation into me that have shaped who I am today.  Will I follow in their footsteps with my students?  I sure hope so.