Not too long ago, I added one of my past mentors as a friend on Facebook. Recently, he had quit his job at my old high school to pursue another job elsewhere. He is no longer teaching, but began his teaching career seven years ago, when he had just graduated college.
It wasn't until I watched a good-bye speech a student of his took that made me realize the impact he had made on the classes he had taught from 2002-2009. As I watched the video, almost at the point of tears, it made me wonder about the life lessons I've been taught by teachers along the way.
I can't completely give him the credit of my decision to give up journalism and go with teaching; in fact, it's probably because in my educational career as a student, I have encountered so many great teachers along the way. Each one of them has found their way to shape my life in ways they can't possibly imagine.
One showed me that I could actually write. Another deepened my love for Spanish language and culture. One held my hand through a broken heart, while rejoiced when I had found someone who mended it. She took me out to dinner and promised I would have everything and more, so long as I don't lose myself in the process. He listened to me, when no one else would. All have made me who I am today.
So if you're asking the question of what made me choose to teach? I want to give back, in my own, special way. I want to do everything my teachers had done for me, whether it be big or small. Although I haven't quite reached the greatness that these people have, I know that deep in my heart, it's possible.
My mentor once told me, "If I could change the life of one student, I would be happy for the rest of my life, because I know I did my job."
Well he did and so did they----tenfold.
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