Noble Endeavors
Dignity consists not in possessing honors,
but in the consciousness that we deserve them.
— Aristotle
Dignity is a word rich in meaning and application. At its root,
it means worthy and noble. Unfortunately, the use of this word has,
for the most part, slipped from public discourse. Perhaps then it
is no coincidence that as the word dignity has become more archaic
our children have less understanding of its value in their lives.
And one could certainly argue that students who understand the value
of dignity are more teachable. So consider this: When we teach our
students the value of living a worthy and noble life, we help not
only them, but the noble field of education.
With something to think about . . .
Don't forget to take care of yourself
Remember the dignity of being an educator. It's an honor you deserve.
Ripples of Influence
Blessed is the influence of one true,
loving human soul on another.
— George Eliot
We are all "influencers," and we are all influenced
by others, whether we are teachers or students. Think about it.
Are there some students who have influenced you in a particularly
positive way? Was there a special quality about that student that
stood out? Was it a loving nature or simply a great love of learning?
Educators are particularly powerful influencers. The one true, loving
soul of an educator is like a pebble thrown into a still pond. His
or her influence ripples out in ever-widening circles. Be a blessing
to your students today and drop a small pebble into the classroom.
With something to think about . . .
Don't forget to take care of yourself
Spend time with someone who is a positive influence on you.
Highest Reward
Finish each day and be done with it.
The highest reward for man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it.
— John Ruskin
The reward you get for your work in the classroom is a paycheck
and, one hopes, the satisfaction of knowing that you are making
a difference in the lives of students. What you can become by teaching
is something else altogether. You can become a ray of hope in the
life of a child. You can become a guiding force. You can become
the teacher who changes the course of a child's life forever. And
because each day holds so many growth opportunities, you can absolutely
become a better you.
With something to think about . . .
Don't forget to take care of yourself
Consider the many lives you have changed, and how those same
lives have changed you.
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