I wanted to take this opportunity to just make note of something that I experienced last Friday. As I've begun to experience the life of teaching, I've noticed that it is extremely easy to become discouraged. The students don't behave when you need them too most, the clock runs out half way through a lesson, absent students demand work from a week ago when you're barely capable of recalling yesterday, faculty meetings, differentiated instruction, picky teacher aides, fighting in the hallways, parent-teacher confrontations... the list is endless.
Yet perserverance does not go unnoticed. You may not take realize it, but there are many people that make observations of your daily struggle. After a long Friday, the principal of the school took time out of her day to visit me during my period off. Even a quick 'hello' would have been encouraging, knowing that her day is far more chaotic than my own. But to my surprise, she sat and talked with me for about fifteen minutes, and what she had to say was remarkable. Just at a time when I felt like a meaningless spoke in a greater wheel, she proceeded to tell me about the high praises I was recieving from multiple people. Completely genuine in her encouragement, she wanted me to know that my efforts do not go unnoticed and that she was so thankful for my service in the West Milford school district.
I could not help but to reflect on the words of Jesus, saying that our deeds done in quiet are seen by the Father and will be brought to the light. Our daily struggle as teachers is not exclusive to our own little world. It is on display for all to see, and people watch us intently. As Christians, we should be all the more prepared to be Jesus for those around us, letting our light shine before others. For better or for worse, people will watch us the rest of our careers and lives for that matter. What will we look like?
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