It didn’t take me long to answer! It was about 7:45 AM on a weekday in a
support study class. You can imagine the chaos that begins a school day
for high school teens. A teacher orchestrating the group of students to
help find some bit of school work for them to complete, while making a
personal connection with each student, and encouraging independent
work then beginning the cycle again.
This was just that sort of day. However, when he asked me that question,
the room went silent. I didn’t hesitate, “My favorite part of my job
is, years after meeting a student and working with a student, somehow
over time, there is a huge reward, when I finally hear what the student
has chosen for a school, college, job, family and place to live”, I
said.
My student didn’t miss a beat and responded, “Oh, so you hate your
job.” I began to protest, then I replied, “You asked me about my
favorite part of the job, which is the surprise after all the waiting.”
I did not go on to say that I look forward to each day, that I reflect
on my days and my meetings with students each week, as I learn something
new to mention in my next meeting with a student. I did not go on to
say that, I cherish the moments when a student gets a good grade after
all the hard work. I cherish the teaching and the learning, especially
when my students are teaching me and I am the learner. Everyday is
worth it, but the surprise after waiting years is still the best.
Daniel Tyler
Graduation UMO 2010
