Unfinished: A Teacher’s Calling

Einstein said, “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” Teaching really is an artform, but in education, the painter rarely sees the finished product. Summer is a time educators step away and reflect on the impact they’ve made over the course of a year. For the last 9 months our teachers have been on the front line of your child’s best and worst days. Now, they’re sending them on to the next grade or maybe even saying goodbye. Your son or daughter is not yet a finished product. We’re all still growing and learning! Our teachers get a set period of time to pour as much academic, emotional, and social learning into your child as possible. It’s a daunting task and many times, the teacher never gets to see the finish line. It takes a level of bravery to start a job when you know you probably won’t be able to see the end.

 

Thinking of the unfinished job reminded me of something I heard recently from a speaker who asked, “Would you still try something if you knew you might never see it finished?” The speaker used the example of the Barkley Marathon. This marathon is not your typical road race. Look it up if you’re interested! The Barkley Marathon is a highly secretive and notoriously challenging ultramarathon held in Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee. It’s known around the world for its challenging course, quirky rules, and low finish rate. How low? The annual race began in 1986 and only 20 runners have ever finished. Some years no one finishes the race. Which begs the question, why even start something you know you probably won’t finish? It’s a great question! 

 

We all crave the satisfaction of the completed project. After spending an afternoon mowing the lawn, there is satisfaction in looking over your yard and seeing what you’ve accomplished. What do teachers see at the end of the year? Hopefully, they see progress and growth. The finish line for someone choosing a career in education is to see their student years later and know that they made a difference. The ultimate compliment for an educator is to have a former student reach out letting them know that in some way (big or small), they had a positive impact on their life. The teachers in our community pour into your child in faith that something they’ve taught through a lesson or by example will stick in the coming years. It’s a noble profession and I’m pretty sure we can all look back on at least one teacher who made a difference in our lives. I can think of so many! Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Phares, Mr. East; just to name a few! This summer, remember that teacher who poured into your youth and maybe even take a minute to write them a note. Also, don’t forget we’re all teachers with kids looking up at us to provide a positive example and encouragement. They see a lot of negativity and drama. We can show them a kinder way. Let’s all do our part to model for our kids the kind of adults we hope they become in the future! 

 

Marty Spence, Superintendent