Student Teaching
September 22nd, 2009
Our daughter, Bryna, is currently student teaching in a small neighboring district. She’s majoring in childhood education, grades 1-6. When it was time to sign up for student teaching, Bryna left her placement up to chance. She didn’t want to be encumbered or helped by my potential relationship with anyone in her placement districts. I respect that, the kid wants to make her way on her own.
As you might expect, I’ve been very interested in what she has to say about her experiences. Education has been my passion for 20+ years so having my daughter in the field is exciting to me. I also know she’s got a talent for it from watching her teach karate to large groups of children since she was about fifteen. Her dad and her brother would add here that she’s the best teacher in the family, especially when working with their less “focused” students. Let’s just say that we saw her potential and talent long before she did, back when she was focused on becoming an attorney.
So she’s been sharing her experiences, everything from how nervous she gets around the principal (”he could potentially hire me if I show him what I can do!”) to how much she adores and respects her cooperating teacher to her positive observations by her SUNY Fredonia professor. I’m glad to hear about her thoughts and her planned projects and her hopes for the future.
But you know what makes me the most proud? When she talks about her kids.When she makes them more than a name in a grade book, a statistic on a NYS assessment report or a count for state aid. When she’s spitting mad because one little boy NEVER has lunch money and his mother won’t fill out the free and reduced lunch form and ‘how is it fair that he has to grow up like this?!’ And when she’s passionate about all that “her” kids can do and the communities project she’s planning and ‘would I come and watch them for the rehearsal day because they really need an audience?’
When I hear my kid advocate for those second graders and plan for them and dream with them, I know she’s got the heart of a teacher. And when she wonders how she can make it better and ‘why can’t I give one little boy 25 cents for ice cream because his mother never will’–that’s when I know she’ll do her very best every day for each of those kids. And I tell her what I know so well to be true from my own experiences, “you’ll have those kids who get a raw deal each and every year. All you can do is love them more.”
In my experience there are lots of kids who will be successful despite us, it’s those who need us to love them because they’re not sure anyone else does who have motivated me in this life long career. If I can show a child that she matters to me, that I see him, that I expect the best of her because I know it’s in her–well, if you ask me that’s the most valuable thing I can do in the entire course of my lifetime.
I am so thankful that my daughter begins that same work now, for every kid she encounters who needs her. Nothing could possibly make me happier. Who needs an attorney in the family when I’ve got a daughter setting out to change the world, one kid at a time? Go get ‘em kid.
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See also:
- RCS Learning Clubs (June 26th, 2009)
September 22nd, 2009 at 1:30 pm
Bryna does have the special gift that makes for great teachers. You have every right and reason to be completely proud of her!
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September 22nd, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Kim- I had those same feelings when I watched my son pursue his teaching degree. It was exciting to me to see that he was going to become a teacher since so many of our students need male “role” models in their lives. We take so much for granted in our lives. You think that everyone’s home lives are the same as ours, when in fact most of the day students I work with come from some very disheveled homes. It is amazing to see their faces light up when you give them that moment to shine. Congrats to your daughter and I hope she will have as good of experiences as my son had. Janet
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September 22nd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Thanks Mom, I get it from years of listening and learning from you!
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Grahme Reply:
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Another family committed to making the world better 25+ kids at a time isn’t it? Just wanted to say hello and wish you both well, although it seems as though things are going great for you both! It’s been a while since I’ve spoken to you but can’t seem to get an email address to write to, so mine is grahmew@gmail.com, hit me up sometime if you get the chance. Cheers, Grahme
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September 23rd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
I think that teachers play a great role and their parents should be prod of them. They make changes in others lives, leading them in the right direction.
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September 23rd, 2009 at 8:48 pm
You have such a caring & loving daughter! She’s meant to teach…and will definitly make a positive difference in those little kids lives. I know she’s touched ours. You have every reason to be proud of what a beautiful young lady she has become. =))
We could all follow that lead. Even if it’s by volunteering as a 4-H leader, Tiger Cub leader, Girl Scouts, Brownies, Coaching, and I could go on and on. Show them you care, be a positive role model, inspire them to grow and they will have the confidence to follow their dreams. LYLAS
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September 24th, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Great post!!
My 12 year old daughter is determined to be a first grade teacher. First Grade only. Nothing else. She thinks that is the most important grade to teach, and I would agree!
What did she want for her birthday? A white board and an overhead projector. Everyone pitched in and we got her those items. She is in heaven teaching school in the basement. I have a feeling she is cut from the same cloth as your daughter Bryna!
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Shawn Reply:
September 25th, 2009 at 9:08 pm
When I read your response I had to smile! What a cool kid you got! I think that is awesome and good for you for encouraging her to enter a great field! I can only imagine what her face was like when she received those gifts! I am a 1st grade teacher, tell her she rocks!
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September 24th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
Very cool. very, very cool. Nothing better than doing something you’re passionate about. It makes you exceptional.
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September 24th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Ahem…as a former attorney who is now a teacher, I am not so sure that the worst thing to do was go to law school first!
That aside – I have heard wonderful things about her and am sure that she will continue to do wonderful things no matter where she ends up. Just like her mom!
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September 24th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Once again, Kimberly, you have shown me your exceptional writing abilities.
You and Derek have raised an intelligent, loving, caring daughter. Bryna you are awesome.
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October 8th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Wow! As tears are rolling….let me just say how truly inspiring. I so agree that it takes a special person to be a teacher. It is a not just a job. So many kid’s look to a teacher for so much more. So many kid’s lack that figure in their lives. The teacher’s that realize that concept have nothing but admiration from me. Bryna is and will continue to be amazing young woman!!! You should be proud!
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October 22nd, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Man, what a love fest. this is. What about all the tears I had to put up with during her adolescence? I had no ability to deal with that? When I suggested education 6 years ago, she yelled at me and said something like, “What do you know baldy? So if we are praising people, I think I should get some.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
You’re right Jarz–she is the young woman she is today thanks to you!
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