LOFTforum

The times that my students thank me for what I do.  Once a student who graduated and joined the Army was home on leave.  He took me and my significant other out to dinner and told me that because I had done so much for him, it was his way of showing his thanks.

One day we were talking about the calendar, and weather as we were getting our day started in Kindergarten. It was still early in the year and I was so excited because the kids answered all the questions correctly so I asked "How did you guys get so smart?" One little boy replied "Mrs. Wilson, its because you learned us so well." It was so sweet that had to laugh and yet I tears because he was so cute about it.

When I was at a low income school, the students were shocked by my freckles. They did not understand them. They said, "Mrs. Downey what are all those pumps on your face?" They were so innocent. I loved their innocence and I knew I loved what I would do for the rest of my life!

I started teaching third grade Spanish in my current district.  In my second year, I was transferred to the high school.  This year I have several of my 3rd grade students as high school juniors.  I love when they say to me "I love Spanish and I still remember the songs you taught us eight years ago."

I walked into my classroom one morning and said goodmorning boys and girls! One of my students for the first time in three years said my name. If anyone knows about teaching special education severe/ profound population it put a smile on my face the whole day. It is the little things that somtimes get over looked.

I teach preschool and love the funny things the children say. Today was color blue and a little girl said Miss Denise Mason also has on blue underwear today because I saw them. All the other children preceded to look to see if their underwear were blue also. I had to laugh.

By Miss Denise

I make a point to get to know my students and their families well.  I find it makes a HUGE difference, especially with those challenging kids that can push a person to the limits.  My favorite comment was actually a parent.  At the end of the year she came up and hugged me, saying, "You taught me more about my son after the first six weeks of school than I had in the previous five years.  Thank you."  That was years ago, and it still makes me so good to think about it.  Lori L.

I teach 4th grade.  Yesterday, one of my students came in from recess visibly distressed.  When I asked him what was wrong, he said,"My Mom embarassed me today!"  I replied, "Moms do that sometimes."  He said, "No, you don't understand!"  I was trying to play and my Mom came out to the playground just to say hello.  I was trying to have fun, and all she wanted to do was talk!"

Donna S.

One of my Kindergarten students was asked about Kindergarten testing. Wow, you mean Kindergarteners have to take tests. What do they take tests on. Quickly one of the students replied, on paper of course! Never underestimate the ability of students to make your day, with the simple things in life, like paper....Teaching is a wonderful way to spend your day, you learn so much from the children you have before you. They are a blessing!

One of my students started crying when she found out that she finally passed the Math regents. She said "Now i can finally go to college". Made my day and i decided to continue teaching.

Nina Y.

I teach fourth grade and recently I was talking to a parent of a former student.  She was telling me about her son's success in high school.  He is staying organized and responsible, as well as, motivated to learn in a demanding environment.  The mother remarked to her son, "Wow, the school is doing a great job of teaching you time management and keeping you organized!" My former student quickly remarked, "MOM, it's not the school! It was Miss M in fourth grade!"

Stories like these let me know that I am making a difference in the lives of my students.

I'm a middle school counselor.  I find inspiration from students constantly.  Many students have difficult home lives, and a safe, nurturing, and reliable learning environment is often what these students need to escape the unbalanced life at home.  I feel very special when a student feels comfortable in sharing their dreams and aspirations with me.  I take pride in knowing that I can ease a teenagers mind, even if it's for a few hours.

My payoff as educator is seeing my students become productive members of their communities. I like it when they also introduce me to their family members.Leen

I am a high school Intervention Specialist educator in a small city school district. I have quite a wide range of culture of students I serve and interact with daily in my co-teaching and resource teaching classrooms. Many are low income students from families that have generational poverty. Others I work with are minority and/or culturally diverse students.

Prior to coming to this district, I taught in a large inner-city school district where the major focus is behavior management and discipline. There was a high disrespect for teachers in the buildings I was assigned during the time I was employed and often times assulted either intentionally or unintentional. I felt after being in education for 15 years this was not an appropriate setting for me to continue after I was informed I had been staff reduced. The district I am now going on my second year serving is such a wonderful place to teach where you can actually "teach" students, challenge them to go beyond the level they have been just assumed was all they could do and have the confidence they are going to treat you as a person and know you are there because you want to help them. Give me a room full of low socio-economic, low ability students any day who will at least put forth the effort without disrespecting or giving you the fear you're safety is in jeopardy any day of the week! I have such great kids I work with each day in my high school - kids who know you are their only source to truly give them a chance.

That also goes with the confidence they know they can put into all of us as a staff here as well - I work with an absolutely awesome staff who are truly there for these kids! I can see the latter part of my years now as an educator as I look toward that magic number of "30" not too far off the horizon in a very positive opportunity to get my best years in!

by Julia K.

I had a student as a freshman in my algebra class.  He was unmotivated, unresponsive and occasionally downright rude.  I tried to reach him, but got nothing.  2 years later, he was on my roll for geometry, and I was surprised.  Not only was I surprised that he had actually passed algebra, but that he had decided to move on.  The first day of class, he came up to me afterwards and told me about how his sophomore year had been a turning point, and the he wanted me to know that he was a different student than he had been as a freshman.  He was right.  As the year progressed, I kept being amazed - he reminded me that we cannot write off any student, and that they all have potential.  By the way, he ended up with the highest grade in my class.

I think the most rewarding thing about being a middle school math teacher is knowing how I can positively affect the lives' of my students.  Already this school year (and we are only 8 days into the year), I had a student come up and thank me for changing her opinion of math.  

by Chris W.

This past summer my mother was visiting her cardiologist and I remembered having his son in fifth grade.  I asked how he was doing and he said... "Actually, he is doing great.  He is a sophomore in college and didn't come home this summer because he chose to work on the school's web site as an intern.  He is majoring in computer science."  He said, "I tried to get him to go into medicine, but he had a teacher that had more of an influence over him than me."  I was his computer teacher.

For the past three years I have taught 5th grade in one of the poorest districts in my state.  My students have helped bring a new perspective to my life and helped me realize what is really important.  When most kids are worried about the newest clothing fad, electronics, or trips they may be taking, my students concerns are geared to their families.  Will they have enough food, who will be home to babysit when mom and dad are working the second or third job, will they be moving because the rent can't be paid?  Needless to say, it has opened my eyes and helped me to realize how big and how crucial of an impact I can have on my students.  This year during open house, I had many former students come back to visit.  One boy was accompanied by his mother.  She told me she wanted to give me one last thanks to let me know that I had "influenced and impacted her sons life more than I would ever know."  There was no hiding the smile on my face, or the tears welling in my eyes.  In a profession where we so often criticize ourselves and wonder if we are doing enough, it was so wonderful to hear what I think are the best words of praise.

As a beginning elementary teacher, I was trying to find something to fill some time, so I gave my students a cut a past activity.  After one of my "good " students finished coloring, I said"OK cut it out."  He said,"OK."  I walked by a few minutes later and he was still sitting there with a full sheet, no cutting.  I once again said, "Cut it out."  He replied," OK."  Later still I came by and he was still sitting there.  Now frustrated with him, I said, "I told you to cut it out."  He said, "I did.  I stopped what I was doing."  He must have been misbehaving the first time and thought I was telling him to stop.  He was a great kid.  We laughed and laughed.  This was not the best memory, but maybe it brought a smile to your face.

by Deann A.

My first teaching position was to conduct a high school class in fundamental business which included how to get a job and basic, appropriate, business behavior.  Ten years later, I had left teaching for a few years.  In my new position in business I ran into a very professional young lady.  She gasped and hugged me.  It was one of my first students who credited me with helping her to get on track for her professional career.

I teach in a city school system and we teach a wide range of students. I have one student who has been working really hard to turn his life around and stay out of trouble. He was jumped and pulled into a fightat school. As soon as I heard about it I ran to the Vice Principal's office to speak to him. I tole the VP all the student had been doing to make a change. I turned to the student and told him that this didn't change how proud of him I had been in my room. He had tears in his eyes. It was the first time an adult had come to his defense. I had tears in my eyes too.

I TEACH  SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS WITH READING DISORDERS.  WHEN A YOUNGSTER FINALLY UNDERSTOOD THE LETTERS OF THE ALPHABET AND THEIR SOUNDS IT MADE ME VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THE EFFORT AND TIME I SPENT WITH HIM.

One day, a student told me that no one had ever cared about him before and said thank you.

I am a reading specialist in a high school for students with language based learning disabilities.  Last year was my first year and this year I have had five students whom I taught last year ask why they did not have my class this year and if they could switch back to my class.  That's how I know I have really made a difference in the lives of these students.

I am a high school reading specialist and teacher. Last year I developed and implemented a new remedial reading program for incoming freshmen, and I taught all of the classes. In one class, a boy made a point to tell me at the beginning of the year that he didn't read books, he had never finished a book on his own in his whole life, wasn't planning on it now, and thought that books were a waste of time. By the end of that same year, he had read three books in a series by Sharon Draper and was eager to read more books "like those." His reading comprehension improved 3 to 4 grade levels between the beginning and the end of the year. His English teacher told me his grade had come up from an F at the beginning of the year to a B+, and his reading was much-improved. His grades in his other classes improved as well. This year he is a sophomore and he came into my room just last week to thank me for helping him enjoy reading. He said he can't believe how much easier school is now that reading is easier for him and actually sometimes fun, not just hard, frustrating work. I can't take credit for all of this - the student obviously changed his outlook and put in more effort to make such great gains. However, I like to think that if he hadn't taken my class, he may never have discovered the pleasure of reading for fun.

I teach first grade now. But when I taught second grade previously, I had a student the first day of school come up to me crying because she said she could not read.  I put my arm around her and said it will be ok.  Everyday we worked on her reading and by the end of the year, she was reading at the second grade level right where she needed to be.  She gave me a small teddy bear as a thank you for the work I had done with her.  I still have that bear and have told my new students every year this story.  The bear continues to inspire me to be the best teacher I can be and my current students to believe in themselves and that they will do great as well.

Barb, Plainfield IL

I am an 8th grade teacher.  Every October I teach the life of Edgar Allan Poe and do many of his stories and poems with the students.  During the first week of school, a parent of a recent graduate saw me and said that her son was coming up to give me a hug because Poe is the first author they study as Freshmen and he knew all the answers because he learned about him last year.  You never know what kind of an impact you have on a student.  It makes a difference when the graduates come back and tell you that they wish you were teaching them again because they learned so much from you and their new teachers can't compare to you. When some students are difficult and you may want to rethink your choice to teach, it is the little things that make you glad you persevered.

by chery s.

As an alternative certification intern, I was trained in Special Ed and moved to ESL at the last minute. I taugh Eng and Reading. I had a student from Vietnam that had been in the country for less than a year. We developed a connection and I gave her work outside of class, and saw she was brilliant. I lobbied for her to be moved to regular Ed, against school policy.  Eventually after only 11 weeks I was moved back to SPED and eventually to a new school. I kept in touch with the student advising her on many things. Last year the district started a new ceremony for top seniors. She invited me, and the comments she made were that I never forgot her and helped her not only with school, but with life. I may not be the best educator, but this validates that I know how to connect with my students and help them prepare for the future. Of the hundreds of students and teachers, most were AP teachers and teachers they currently had. I was the only one that she reached back 3 years for...so that said something!  We are still in close contact.

F. Walker

I am educator without a regular job.  I sub for an Opportunity School in my area.  I enjoy reading and like to pass that love on to my students.  Last year a student mentioned that he had started a book at a previous school and since he was kicked out did not get to finish it.  I asked him if he would like me to bring it in from my library and he was happy to say yes.  I brought it in and he finished it and passed it on (with my permission) and several of them read it and had mini book discussions after.  This was a yahoo moment for me to see those that previously didn't take to books enjoying the experience!

Hi Everybody! I am a first year teacher at a school in West Philadelphia. I keep facing challenges everyday, and it keeps getting harder to get through the curriculum when dealing with all the behavior problems. One thing that keeps me going is the caring, loving demeanor of the little first graders and all the hugs during the day. It was nice to read all your inspiring stories. I hope to have at least one to share by the end of the year. By Alexandra Margraf

I have been in high school education for alot of years and there is never any moment in my career that matches watching kids walk across that stage.  For that moment all is right with the world and each of my kids has passed a milestone, parents beaming, proud grandparents and for me a sense of great satisfaction that I have done something bigger than myself.

This is my 33rd year as a public high school educator.  I had an ESL student who was the light of my life when he graduated with honors and went into the Air Force.  He called me to invite me to his graduation from boot camp because he had been awarded instant American citizenship for his achievements as a young member of the Air Force.

Sandy J

The most memorable moment I have had thus far was to see and hear a middle school child read...because at the beginning of the school year the child was far below grade level.  She didn't even recognize basic sight words.  It was so memorable because this child began to deliver speeches at school ceremonies.  Wow!!

My favorite moments of the year are when my students come back and tell me how much they learned from my class or knowlege they learned that helped them the next year.  In one Jr. high school that I taught in, the conputer/typing teacher had an assignment for the students to write a letter to a past or present teacher that made an impact on their education.  I always loved getting those letters at the end of each semester.  They lifted your spirits and helped me remember why I really love teaching so much.

by Dana H.  

After several frustrating weeks of not understanding why student RT did not have his homework, something dawned on me. Maybe he didn't have help from home, or the materials needed. I went to talk with him after school one day, with my new found understanding. I loved it when the face of this little 7 year old student lit up like a light bulb as I affirmed him and recognized how hard he was trying in class. A sense of relief came across his face as I offered to provide him with materials that he did not have at home.

That was something to remember!

I enjoy being a middle school teacher.  I love this age because the students are discovering themselves as people. I love knowing that I can help these children develop and grow at this time in their lives.  It also makes me feel good when a student draws a picture for me or writes me a letter thanking me for being their teacher.

Emily M.

I am in my 2nd year of teaching 2nd grade. In at 6:00am and out at 7:00pm really drains me, but the smiles and excitement from 7:30 to 2:30 make it all worth it.

Teaching is giving the best of yourself to the future, everyday.

i had a 7 yr. old student that never spoke a word except to her mom and sisters.  she was moved from 4 different teachers.  i was able to work with her mom to develop strategies to help her talk.  i will never forget her first words.  she is now 11 and gets in trouble for talking to much in class.  

My most memorable moment is actually going back to education after home-schooling my son.  I learned so much from the three years of looking into the eyes of my son, who is dyslexic, and facing his realities and now looking into the eyes of my sixth grade students who all have their challenges.  The strength of teaching my own son has made me a stronger advocate for the parents of students who need a little extra help.  We all learn differently and we all need the an advocate to listen....I have finally learned to listen with my head and heart.

Tracy L.

One of my students, managed to maintain high grades, even though she spent a period of time living on the streets with her mom. When she left our middle school for high school, she came back to my class along with several other high school students and tutored my students! Now, she has a full scholarship at an amazing school and is working on immigration policies! We've kept in touch, and I am so impressed by how she has never given up and simply allowed adversity to make her stronger. I have so many students that inspire me!

Cathy

Los Angeles, CA

One of my students, managed to maintain high grades, even though she spent a period of time living on the streets with her mom. When she left our middle school for high school, she came back to my class along with several other high school students and tutored my students! Now, she has a full scholarship at an amazing school and is working on immigration policies! We've kept in touch, and I am so impressed by how she has never given up and simply allowed adversity to make her stronger. I have so many students that inspire me!

Cathy

Los Angeles, CA

My most memorable time as an educator was when one of my students Alesia Fowler won a scholarship to the NC School of Performing Arts and later performed as a soloist with the Washington Ballet Company.    I taught her for seven years and am proud of her accomplishments along her road to success.

Dorothy Davis

This is my seventh year of teaching, my fifth in first grade.  Last year I had a terrific class, and I had one student that came in below grade level expectations in reading.  I worked with him every single day and made huge efforts with him in school, and with his parents at home.  He left ready for second grade, and I was very proud of him.

Gretchen

My most memorable moment in my teaching career is about to begin.  I have just been hired to teach an SDC high school class and I am looking forward to it.

By Karla O.

There's nothing better when my 8th grade students and I are discussing a book, and one of them comes up with a reflection about the book that makes me take a step back and say, "Wow...I've never thought of it that way."  I know then, that my students are learning something.

I always loved movies about teachers(and mentors) and students like GOOD WILL HUNTING, DANGEROUS MINDS, FINDING FORRESTER, etc.  I've always thought I am a pretty sensitive teacher, but the other day I saw a light in the eyes of one my students when she answered a question.  I knew at that moment that I should always be searching for that light and trying to inspire it. Most of all I should always respond to it.

By Melanie H.

This is my first year in a classroom so I don't have a most memorable moment right now. I'm sure I will have plenty of moments to come later this school year.

By: Cassidy T

I enjoy being able to impact my students in and outside of the classroom.   I love the opportunity for my students to also impact my life at the same time I impact theirs.

I am a new teacher but the moment I keep playing in my head occurred during my first week with my new sixth graders. I spent the first week (I'm still talking about it) our room as our community. We share everything and need to make sure we are treating the classroom and each other with respect.  I have been using we and ours during our discussions throughout the day.  I started talking about the maps and globes in the classroom and I must have said "mine".  I was interrupted and one of the girls said "you mean ours".  It broke my heart instantly! I said yes, I do mean ours!  I knew in that moment I was understood and "we" are really working toward a better education!

Beth Gourlis

This is my third year as a Middle School Latin teacher.  While I thoroughly enjoy my teaching moments in the classroom, watching and listening to my students be able to grasp and understand very difficult concepts, the times where I most enjoy my students are when I watch their sport games.  Most, if not all, of my students are involved in some type of sport, whether it be swimming, soccer, or field hockey.  When my students have home games, I am ready to sit in the bleachers and cheer them on! Having them in the classroom and being able to interact with them day to day is amazing; their natural abilities to learn and bridge concepts is awe-inspiring.  However, being able to also see what they do outside of the school day brings to me a whole new perspective into who they are and who they will become.  It lends a great insight into how they spend their time and how they act with each other when not succumbing to a seat chart and desks.  This reflection leads me to one of my most memorable moments as a teacher.  I had a student who was distracted and very uninterested in what I had to teach when I had him in class.  I could tell that he was mentally capable of doing work, but was not motivated to do anything.  As a developing adolescent, my students are unaware of how young they actually are, yet are wanting desperately to be treated like the adults that they will become.  An important issue to me in my classroom in how I interact with students is the factor of respect.  My students recognize how passionate I am about my content area and their success in it, and I am respectful of their presence and attention to me while I teach.  This student however was not as receptive to this as previous students.  He was, although, very passionate about his soccer team.  I decided that to encourage mutual respect, that I would devote time to watch his sports and see what affect, if any, this would have on his classroom behavior and interest level.  I have been going to the school's home games for the past two years, and, so far, his level of interest and interactions with me have turned from glacial to joyful, and he is much more willing to talk and lead a discussion rather than sit back a be a passenger for forty minutes.  While I may have started attending games for one student, all of my students now count on me being there to watch them play and are quick to wave a quick "hi" between plays.  

By Ashley B.

There are too many oments to even write about here. Getting kids into college, finding colleges they strive for...etc etc etc

I am a middle school English teacher, every 7th graders worst nightmare.  However, what is not to love about a 7th grader?  They leave you speechless, floored, entertained, and ready to cry with every "teacher sweep" of the classroom.  Does anything go in?  My favorite moments are beginning class and watching all their faces--you can tell who has done their work and who is working up an excuse. I just love when our eyes meet and I can smile at them and let them know I love them even if I am about to write them demerits.  My second favorite time is the end of class--but it is not what you think.  I love the end of class because with all that has happened in class, the ups as well as the downs, I still hear, "Thank you, Mrs. Dincauze."  So much for wondering if anything went in their heads and stuck.

I went back to teaching kindergarten after being out for several years and the best part of going back is letting the children realize that they already are readers and writers!  They are so excited when they are realize this fact!

I work at a very low socio-economic school, where many of my students don't have a very positive home life.  It really is rewarding to see the smiles on their faces when they come into my classroom because they know that they are in a safe and stable environment.  It is an extra bonus when they are also excited about learning, and they strive to be successful.

-Sara T.

I did a math activitiy using dry erase markers on their desks.  We did the activity on a Friday, and one of my students told me Monday that the activity was his favorite part of school so far.  I love when my students get excited about learning!

-Maureen W.

I work in a high poverty school.  I taught 6th grade (in the elementary school) for three years.  My most rewarding experience is connecting with my students.  They can be so tough and act out because it is expected by their peers.  I find it so rewarding when a student does the right thing because I've asked when typically they wouldn't.  Its nice to know that although they are taller than me, they respect me and know that I care for them.

I am a high school music teacher.  Last year I subbed at the school I'm now working at.  I walked into an extremely sensitive situation.  The very beloved teacher was essentially taken away from their students, and the kids had no idea what was going on.  They missed him.  And I wasn't him.  But, I was to finish out the year.  3 weeks after I started subbing we had a competition to prepare for.  I had connected with a few kids, but there was one I thought I would never reach.  He was a bit cynical and thought would never really listen to me.  The day of the competition they kids performed spectacularly, emotionally, and better than any other high school I've ever heard or worked with.  I was on such a high.  The young man who I thought I would never reach came up to me afterwards, looked me straight in the eyes, said "Thank you," and gave me the firmest, most sincere handshake I have ever received.  I have never felt more validated as a teacher in my life.

-Sara L.

Many years ago, I was substitute teaching for the very first time. I was very excited when the second graders came into the class. When the bell rang, I told them all to stand for "Opening Exercises" (something I had been told when I was very young to mean the Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence) Well, before I could even start the Pledge, the whole class started doing jumping jacks! Needless to say, they were all out of control and my career started off with a bang!  Debbie A.

Have a fifth year senior tell me that they came back to finish up because of me.

Kim

Tutoring a group of struggling readers in 3rd grade, their regular teacher told me that they actually took out their poetry books I gave them during a Halloween party.  I was so pleased they were that into reading!

It's so hard to choose just one memory because I do find joy everyday in being a teacher.  I love the hard work that I do on behalf of my students.  Coming in every morning and seeing my second grade students doing independent reading and discussing books in a very deep and thoughtful way just starts my day off right every time!

Daph O.

Teaching Vocational Education is very rewarding.  Our local hospital works hand-in-hand with our school district to provide on-the-job vocational experience to our special education students.  Walking in to the Central Supply department and seeing an autistic student in surgery scrubs, hat, gloves etc. is very fun and quite rewarding.  Our kids have wonderful mentors who care deeply for them.  Those are the very moments that make teaching all worth it.  We love our community partners.  

We had a very shy girl in our class who wouldn't play or talk to anyone.  We worked with her for many months and she finally opened up like a beautiful butterfly and finally began to make friends.  We can't wait to see what the future holds for her. :)

Last year was my first year teaching and I teach art.  I found it incredibly difficult to make art history engaging to students but I tried my best.  One day a student came up to me and said that she wanted to minor in art history in college because it was something that she was very passionate about.  She said she had art teachers before me who were very boring but the way I presented it was relevant and engaging.  

I am working on my doctorate and I teach undergraduate courses at my university.  I've had many memorable moments, but one of the best was when one of my students won a department-wide award for best undergraduate essay.  The essay was one she'd written for my class.  I was so proud of her!    

My first year of teaching was underway when September 11th happened.  It finally hit me how much influence teachers have, as I stopped teaching social studies and started teaching kids who needed comfort and reassurance and answers to their questions.  I was so close to my classes that year and every anniversary reminds me of how important relationships are to teaching.

Tutoring a group of struggling readers in 3rd grade, their regular teacher told me that they actually took out their poetry books I gave them and read them without being forced to.  I was so pleased they were that into reading!

I am a substitute teacher.  I was in the same 5th grade class for 6 months while the teacher was out treating her *** cancer.  I had one young lady in particular who could not grasp division.  I asked her if she wanted my help, and she agreed to stay in at recess.  The day she figured out division, her eyes lit up, her smile was huge, and she proudly exclaimed, "I understand division.  I can do any division problem now.  You actually taught me how to do division!".

I am teaching for my twelfth year at the school which I attended. It has been so rewarding giving back to a place that inspired me to become a teacher, though it took me awhile to call old teachers by their first names!

I teach eighth grade English and my favorite thing to do is to have discussions where I can play devil's advocate.  I love hearing students' attempt at defending their point of views in ways they never had before.  It's very enlightening.

I have never forgotton the look on the face of one of my student's when I told her her child would be mainstreamed for the first time in his education (as a 5th grader).  The realization that her child had found success was priceless.

My 9th grade student was doing so well but he promised me that the next semester he was going to "turn over a new tree."  I said, "let's start with a leaf Brian and work from there."

by: Melissa S.

I teach in an area where Spanish is spoken in the home. I have a little 2nd grader in my "English Only" classroom who can't speak English very well at all. She was extremely bright and could understand most everything I said. However I couldn't get her to volunteer in class, ask questions or read. Suddenly last week out of no where this little girl raised her hand to answer a question. Of course I called on her and she was right. From there on out she has been more social, she's reading and wanting to stay in at recess so she can read to me, volunteering, and asking questions when she doesn't get it. She feels so much more comfortable knowing that it's ok if she doesn't speak English perfectly just yet... and that we are all here to learn!

A student I had during my second year teaching came back to the school to find me at the end of the last school year. He was so excited to see me so he could tell me that he was graduating HS (I teach 8th grade) and was preparing for the prom. A few months later, he called to let me know that it was his frist day of school at Delaware State University and he just wanted me to know he made it and thank you. I was so proud of him and just to know that he accredited even a small portion of his "making it" to me just made me so ecstatic.

One of my students said "Oh!  I didn't know I knew that" and then procedeed to teach the other students how to multiply.  

I am a first grade teacher and I will always remember at the end of the year a few years ago one of my students told me "I wish you could pass 1st grade too so you can be my teacher next year" I told her "I sure wish I could but I think I need to stay in 1st a little longer" it made me smile all day long.

by Jaime B.

I sent a post card home to a student in my class telling him and his family to be proud because he has been focusing a lot better, as well as getting his work done on time.

The mom came into the classroom yesterday holding the postcard... she said thank you with tears in her eye....before she left she turned to me and said "Teacher, this is my birthday present... thank you".

It gave me chills hearing that and I got them again sharing it with you!

My most memorable moment as an educator has to be my first day of school. I had always been a really good student in school, so I guess I just figured teaching would come naturally to me. My classroom was beautifully decorated, everyone's name plates were neatly taped on the desks...and then the kids entered! I quickly realized that a beautiful classroom does not always equal a good teacher. Now I've been teaching for over 8 years and feel like I grow and learn every day.

Last year I had a girl in my 5th grade math class. She would always get frustrated with her work so that would turn into being frustrated at me. One week was particularly hard for her and she was mad at me and hated math class and made it very clear to me. The following week she gave me a card. Here I was thinking it was a note from her parents that she needed help or something but instead it was a card saying that you for challenging me to be the best student that I can be. Those are the moments when we remember why we are what we are and why we do what we do.

When I was student teaching, I taught this little girl in my kindergarten group who just could not read. She tried and tried and hard as she could. She was such a teacher pleaser and she just wanted me to be happy. It broke my heart every day when she was again still struggling with the concepts we were working on. Finally, on my last day, success! She was able to read the story we had been working on that would help take her into her journey of learning to read. 6 years later, I still remember Samantha.

The moment one of their little faces lights up with a new thought;  They're 16, they usually only think about boys.

My most memorable/funny moment lately was when I was discussing the different families of instruments with one of my 4th grade classes.  (I teach elementary music.)  I asked my students to name the 4 families, to which one little boy replied, "woodwind, brass, string, and CONCUSSION."  :)

I am a computer teacher and it is so rewarding when a student's parent talk about how their child is actually teaching them things on the computer.  The students are so comfortable with the computers and some adults seem so intimidated. These students love coming to computer class and I definitely have the best job in the school.

My first year of teaching was a horrible one.  I had a class that no one else would take.  Each child struggled academically and behaviorally.  I felt grateful just to survive that year.  A year later, I received an invitation to one of my students' graduation parties from 6th grade. His mom included a separate note saying how much I had meant to her son.  I was touched that he had thought of me and wanted me to come to his party.  I'll never forget that feeling.

I teach Preschool in Arizona at a Private School and the children are all just little sponges and want to learn everything you teach them. I go home each and every night so happy that I have a great class who are all so eager to learn and come to school each and everyday!  

by Maggie S.

Simply put...watching my high school special education students graduate- It was the completion of my first '4 year class'.  I watched them from freshman to seniors.  

I am a science teacher for an elementary school, and I see each class twice a week. On morning while doing bus duty, on her way down the steps from the bus, a little girl asked "Do we have science today?" When I told her she did, her response was a resounding "YESSSSS" complete with arm pump. I love being the fun part of their week!

I've been teaching ESL/EFL for 8 years and there is a challenge in every class with a mix of students from different cultures.  One of the most memorable moments for me was when a whole class created a cardboard of thank you's to me as their writing teacher.  They had nicknamed me the "cookie monster" and pasted a picture of the cookie monster from Sesame Street since I occasionally brought in cookies for them during games. Since then, the name and the cookie habits have stuck.  What touches me most about this was the bond that grew among students and myself as well and how much they grew to love writing.

My first year teaching I had to take over a Kindergarten class that was one of the wildest ones in the school.  Their teacher left in November and I took over in January.  I had the most difficult first few months.  I would go home crying at the end of the day.  After 3 months I finally got the students in order and moving along in thier academics.  One of the little girls came to me and say "I'm so happy that you picked our class to come to.  I like to come to school and be with you."

As a high school teacher, we are asked to write college recommendation letters this time of year.  When students request letters from me, I ask them to complete an "info sheet" to help me write their letter.  A student I taught in both geometry and algebra 2 handed in her info sheet and exclaimed she wanted to be a math teacher, which made me so proud.  As I read her info, I found her finest high school moment was helping other students in her algebra 2 class understand math and see the light bulb go on.  What a great moment for ME to know she takes pride in helping others in my classroom!

I am a teacher of 2nd and 3rd grade students with special needs, some of them with autism, behavior issues, and some with just learning disabilities. These students usually have low-self esteem and already have a bad view on school. Just seeing them make progress, even if it is so minor, and the look on their face when they get something right is worth it.

A student naming her daughter after me!

I teach at an alternative high school. My most memorable moment each year is when I see students graduate who were told they would never make it. It is incredibly rewarding.

My most memorable moment as an educator is more of an ongoing moment.  My passion for math increases every year and it spreads to the kids.  They love it to because I can teach them how it works instead of just the shortcuts.  They know they will learn why the shortcuts work and therefore understand math better.

If you look up preschool in the dictionary, it is followed by "lively moments," "hair-raising experiences," and "funny comments."  

One of my just-potty-trained Head Start students was having bowel issues one day, and proceeded to tell me in earnest "Mrs. A, I have diaries!!!"

Oh the joys... :)

One of my former students unexpectedly became pregnant during her junior year of high school, and had no support at all at home.  She was missing school frequently for doctor's appointments and was clearly very unhappy about this pregnancy.  One day while she was out, a classmate asked if we could possibly throw a secret baby shower for her.  We planned the shower while the student was out for appointments, and then surprised her one day with a shower in my office - complete with baby-blue balloons and crepe paper, blue-iced cupcakes, and gifts from all of her classmates.  She was so surprised and touched, and although my principal would NEVER have approved, it was such a special moment for me knowing that I'd done something to help this student.

When a student reads his or her first book.  To see the eyes light up, the smile beam and the body standing a little taller is just magic!

My dad was a teacher, too, and a student dedicated a book he had written to my dad.

I teach high school students and when I show them how to check their oil or do their laundry and they come back years later and say, do you know that saved me! I love the fact that what I teach pertains to everyday life!

My favorite moments are when I surprise my students by filling in their punch-lines. One of my German students LOVES Southpark, and I have picked up a few sayings from my boyfriend. So when my 7th grade student said, "I'm not your buddy, guy." I immediately responded with "I'm not your guy, friend." He was in shock!! I definitely earned kudos from my students that day. I wish they'd been for a brilliant lesson plan ;P, but I'm still glad we connected :)

It's hard to have one memorable event. My students make me laugh every day, and I had a mother cry at graduation because she said her son would not have gotten out of bed every day if it weren't for me. USUALLY, it's a great job!

I had a student come in to my 9th grade English class unable to speak any English whatsoever.  I pretty much panicked and was terribly afraid, because as a novice teacher, I wasn’t sure how to begin to communicate with her, let alone teach her.  

For a long time, Sua would not attempt to communicate with me at all. I would say hello to her in English and in Spanish, using the Spanish word for hello: “hola.”  Sometimes she would smile, but most times she would not respond.  I know very little Spanish, so I knew that for the most part I would need to communicate with her by the use of gestures.  I tried very hard to use as many gestures as I could when I spoke in class. For instance, when I asked the students to get out their textbooks, I held up the textbook.  I did not make it obvious that I was trying to communicate with Sua, because I was only holding up the book, but she began to follow instructions by watching my gestures.  This was difficult, as I cannot gesture everything that I say, but I was very lucky to have another Spanish speaking student in the class (who is also a fluent speaker of English).  I sat Sua near him and asked him (Eleo) to introduce himself to her in Spanish.  Immediately, I saw a difference in Sua’s composure in class, because she allowed herself to communicate with Eleo.  While she was relying on her language of Spanish, I was happy that she was communicating in some way.  As her time in my class continued, I saw her rely less and less on her first language.

The next step was to get her to communicate with me in English.  One day I held Sua after class and sat down next to her at her seat.  I had a post-it note with me, and I wrote the word “hola” on it.  I then waved as if I was saying hello. At this point she was warming up to me, so she smiled.  Then I wrote the equals sign and then wrote the word “hello” and said it out loud as I wrote it. Then I said hello and waved.  She smiled again and took the post-it note before leaving my room. The next day as I stood outside my room, she said “hello” to me. It was only one word, but I was so happy! I felt like I was actually getting somewhere with her.  

I remember a few weeks later when Sua received a pass to go down to the office.  I stepped outside with her, to avoid the audience of the other classmates, and gave her the pass. She took it but just shrugged her shoulders because she did not know what I wanted her to do. I said the word “office” repeatedly, and finally she responded with “oficina?” Here, she positively transferred a word from her language and used it to make meaning of a word in English.   My heart swelled inside because I knew that, little by little, she was learning.

I love it when a student's faces light up because they are learning a new concept.  I also like when a students tells me that they love second grade and they tell me why.  Little things mean the world to a second grader and those little moments mean the world to me as their teacher.  

I teach four-year-old children in the morning as well as serve at the director of our school. Children always notice something different with their teacher so I tend to try to be low key to not distract from everything going on in class. One day in particular, I changed my hair style and wore it curly--I do not usually do this. In the middle of a very eloquent, and dare I say, enthusiastic lesson, I had a little one raise her hand. I called on her and she responded with an inquiry as to why I messed with my hair. I responded with something to the effect that it was just easier this way. Her response:"Well, I don't like it!" This spurred on a four year old debate regarding my new hairstyle!

What I love the most about that story is that children are always honest and will tell you like it is. However, even if they "don't like it", they still love you!

My most memorable moment in education was when I was working as a SLP in a special needs preschool program.  After many months working with a child teaching them to say their own name the efforts and sweat and tears paid off when we heard her say her own name in circle time.  It was quiet as could be but we all were so excited that this child could now participate with the others in introducing herself in group.  And the look on her face was priceless!

Teachers certainly don't teach for monetary reasons; it's purely the students, the satisfaction of making a difference in someone's (or many) life.  One of my favorite memories is when Johnny sat in the back of the class, telling me he was not going to learn and I couldn't make him.  I sat him right up front, beside me, and commended him first for each day he came to class, then for each answer he contributed, and close to the end of that year, he actually performed the parts of both Montague AND Lady Montague in our class rendition of Romeo and Juliet, making the inflections and actions for each character appropriately.  Just after that, Johnny came to me, tears in his eyes, "Miss - I have to quit school to work to help my mom." He was in 9th grade, and he WANTED to stay.

After having a child in my class after a year, the child was about to leave my room to move up to the next class (next grade).  After saying goodbye, he grabbed his dad's hand, and started to leave my room, then he turned around, ran up to me and said, "i love you."  That's what makes it all worth it.

One of my students sent me an email about getting into a college program titled O, Teacher, My Teacher, playing off the poem.  I was having one of those horrible days where you question your job and it made me cry.  I was so proud of him, but so amazed he remembered me.  

My most memorable moment was when I had one of my high school sophomores tell me that she was pregnant. It is not a happy memory, but it led to a strong bond between the two of us as I helped her sort out how to tell her mom and make plans. It also made me feel good that she came to me and felt comfortable enough to talk to me about such a life changing event.

I received an e-mail from a former student.  She told me she wanted to thank me for all I taught her in her chorus class.  She said she was watching 'Rent'  (the movie) and could understand the musical nuances, dynamics, and fugal sections. She said she was crying at the beauty of it all!!!  I got similar e-mails from 3 other former students about the same movie that week!!  

Sophia B

Everyday is memorable.  Just to see the lightbulb go off when students finally GET IT!!!  Everyday is an exciting and amazing day!  I could never choose just one moment.

It was very simple, really. A 7th grade girl gave me a hug in front of the entire school and thanked me for all the help I gave her. Simple, but beautiful.

The greatest moments are when the students come back and they tell me that I really helped them to be prepared for college and the workforce.  One student, in particular, inspires me all the time because he was one that struggled constantly, but he made it!

As a middle school special ed teacher, I had a student that did not speak to anyone. One day, John came up to me and touched my belly (I was about 6 months pregnant at the time). He remarked to me, "My baby." This was the first words that he had spoken at school. The joke continued until my oldest daughter was born. This young man went on to graduate from high school and attend a special college in Florida. His mother still sends me up dates on John.

Some students just break my heart.  One of students still has no uniform in the third week of classes.  I realized that my request for a calculator is not going to be met, so I gave her mine to use for her assignments.  I mentioned this to my boss who said, " give her from my office".  This kindness makes it worthwhile for me!!

Fran F.

When former students come back to see me and tell me that I was the one who really listened to them and taught them more than I will ever know! It makes my heart happy!

After 20 years in education, I am still be invited to weddings, baby showers, special occasions.  I've even been asked for my approval by former students on boyfriends/girlfriends.  Obviously, I made an impression somewhere along the line and they continue to make an impression on me!

My most memorable moments happen almost daily as I watch my former music students who are now, as my colleagues,  giving inspiration to their music students!

This past year I worked with 8th grade students, most of whom had not passed our state test since 3rd grade. When we got the test results, I was able to share good news with most of the students. One in particular had made a commended score and tears rolled down his cheeks. Moments like those make even the most difficult days worth it.

I taught a boy in the first grade.  Ironically his mother, taught me in the seventh grade.  He was a very sweet boy.  He moved to a different school because it had a gifted second grade classroom.  He is now in the fourth grade and recently traveled to China to practice some form of very special karate.  He won a special award in China and the local paper decided to do an article on him.  His mother forwarded me the article and said that her son really wanted me to have a copy because he still thinks of me everyday.  I thought it was sweet to receive a copy and to still be thought of so many years later.

One of my students announced in class that her older brother, that I taught a fews years before at the high school level, had a huge crush on me and wanted to know if I would consider going out with him even though I'm married with a child.  He didn't care.

I taught children with learning disabilities who were in a regular class all day, except for 50 minutes when I pulled them out for small group instruction. One student said, "I wish we were in here all day! You really care about us!" I loved the relationship I had with my students. I really got the opportunity to know and love each child for who they were!

I teach 8th grade language arts. When these students leave for high school, they are leaving for the "promised land," the land of no more walking in line to lunch and other "freedoms" not given in middle school. Well, about three months into a school year, I had a visit from a former student who begged her mom to bring her to see me after an orthodontist appointment. This young lady came into my classroom and gave me a great big hug; she told me how much she missed me. Because I had a room full of students, I asked her to talk about high school and to give my current students some advice. She talked about everything she learned in my room that helps her in high school; she included how tough I was as a teacher. She finished by telling my students that she learned about language arts but she also learned about caring for people. Her words touched me and brought tears to my eyes. I felt that I had truly made a difference in her life. This moment reminded me that what I do every day matters. I have a role in shaping the future.

Seeing the faces of my choir students sing is always the best memory for me.  Being able to teach them something that at first, they are unsure of and then seeing the reward on their faces through pure enjoyment of singing, performing and learning is the best reward possible!  It is the most amazing gift to teach and to also be able to learn from my students.  I learn just as much as I teach!

I had a student who told me that he wanted to be a general in the military.  I told him that I believed he could do it.  Later that day he thanked me.  I asked him why he was thanking me and he said because I believed in him.  

I teach fourth grade in North Carolina

Having students come back to visit to tell you how much you meant to them. Sometimes it is surprising who you had made a difference to in a school year. I hope I am able to reach every child I meet in the classroom.

Besides the single moments, the best thing is being able to keep in touch with the families whose children I have taught. I have made some great friends and even if they move away, we still get together. The relationships are the best part.

I have helped over 900 students how to read.  This will impact not only their futures but the future of our society.  I continue to work with low level readers to help them love books.

Ann Scott

I teach in the science department at the college where I got one of my degrees.  One of my fine arts professors that taught me when I attended there decided to take my class.  He informed another teacher in his department that I was the best teacher he had ever had and if you didn't get it in my class it was because you weren't trying.  It made me feel good to know that he no longer looked at me as a "kid", but a colleague...and a good one at that!

Actually it was today a student of mine who has a TBI (Tramatic brain injury) saw me and ran over (with his walk only he has) and laid a big hug on me. It was great just to see him finally open up.  

I teach mainly entering freshman at an urban university. The most memorable moment always occurs when you see the look on their faces that they're actually getting what you're saying and learning how to apply it to everyday life.  They're putting it together and learning how to form their own opinions.

My favorite thing to do is keep a journal of funny things kids say.  It helps me remember each kid's personality, as well as memorable moments throughout the year.  For example, I had asked the students what France and England were fighting over in the French and Indian Wars.  Without even thinking, one boy shouted out, "Queen Elizabeth!"

I think one of my most memorable moments was in my 2nd year and I had lost a teacher's guide for math.  I thought it was stolen but it was misplaced.  A student, William, stayed after class and "told me he had my back".  He said if it was taken, he would find out about it.  I apologized to the whole class the next day because I found it.  But having William saying that was a huge compliment.  Loyalty with him was huge and he invited me in.

My most memeorale moment was seeing my special education students score some of the highest scores on the Living Environment Regents last spring

Last year I was gone for the first quarter of school, on maternity leave. My students were a handful that year. The long-term substitute was calling and e-mailing trying to figure things out. Needless to say, even though she did a GREAT job, I had my work cut out for me that year. Although one of my most challenging classes, with behavior problems, special needs, and academic concerns. There is not one student that was in this class that did not tell me how much I meant to them at the end of the year. One student in particular - got on track and made the A/B Honor Roll for the first time in his life! Another student, with special needs, was crying on the last day of school. He had made the best grades of his life, his reading ability increased over 5 grade levels and he LOVED SCHOOL again! He actually cried and gave me a hug at the end of the day and told me that he would miss me all summer until he could see me at the beginning of the year next year. I have seen him this year and every time he gives me a HUGE smile and a BIG wave. His renewed excitement for learning and his wonderful smile every day makes my job worth it!

Any time my students have that "ah-ha" moment when they finally understand something!

I teach in higher education.  It has very rewarding to work with the instrucors I had going through the programs of dental assisting and dental hygiene.  I find it very rewarding to have them give me praise for my teaching abilities and styles.  

It is nice when my students also tell those instructors how much they enjoy my classes and how much they like me.  It makes you feel very good! :)

As a teacher librarian, I work hard to get students to read and learn valuable library concepts.  When I left my job and moved to my new one, all of my students where very upset that I was leaving. They wanted to know who was going to tell them about all the cool new books and teach them all the 'fun' library skills. It was then that I knew what a difference and impact I had made on my students' lives.  I just hope that the librarian who took over for me can keep the love of reading and library a live within them.

Every day in teaching is a new experience, which make is all the more memorable.  Even the smallest thing a student does such as saying hello to you in the mall or offering to do a favor for you in the classroom means that you have touched that students life.  I strive to work everyday and make a positive impact on my students and make positive memorable moments for them.  When I do, I see that light bulb come on over their head or a smile come across their face and that assures me that I made the right career choice.  Each day is filled with laughter, confussion, anger, joy, and pride...as is each memory.

Having former students decide to become a teacher because they had me as a teacher!  Right now a student who went into medical research has decided to take up teaching and I am her mentor.  I see a little of me in her as she is working with the students.  It helps me remember what I have done to help others.  The gift keeps on giving.

I am an art teacher. One of my students came back years later and talked to me about drawing... He wasn't an artist... and he said to me-- "I still remember that drawing class so well.  I remember that you taught me how to really see things I had never seen before."

As a science teacher of 23 years, everytime I have a former student come up and tell me how much they appreciated my class and how they made them want to be a teacher, it touches me.  So far, I have over 100 former students who are teachers!

One of my students is now a teacher in my building and she talks about things I did while she was a student.  It is neat to hear how she remembers an event and what she remembers.  It reminds me that students remember what we do as teachers.

by Cheryl N

I love seeing my students make connections are realize it's not as hard as they thought. Any time that happens it is a special moment.

I teach drama at a very sports oriented school and had several students who were new to the stage and the ins and outs of acting. In 8 weeks the struggled and were nervous, but we opened and they were awesome and nearly perfect! I was so proud! I had a teacher/parent tell me later she really thought it was going to be a bust because no other drama teacher had been able to get the kids to respond and listen. It made me that much prouder!!!

So far, everything is a memorable moment!  This is my first year teaching and I'm learning every day.  The most memorable for me though, aside from the few times I have witnessed the light bulb going off in my students heads when they "get it," has been the moment when I realized the tremendous impact I'm having on my students.  The impact may not materialize for years but someday it will and that thought overwhelms me.

Each day has memorable moments.  It is the little things that only we know or recognize that makes my day.

I just recently left the classroom to get my PhD in Special Education. I went back to my classroom which still had all of my fomer students in there. All of them have severe cognitive disabilities. Two of the students said my name and asked for a hug. They then wanted to show me the latest work that they were doing. They were proud of the progress they made.  I'll never forget it.

Having students, after 31 years of teaching, still speak to me and remember where they sat in my classroom. It makes me realize the impact I have on every student's life.

When one of my previous students called me three years later after having won "Santana of the Year" in her new Middle School and told me that I had a huge influence in her receiving that award. She wanted to thank me for all that I had done for her as her teacher back in 4th grade. What a day of smiles and tears! (happy ones)!

I teach students whom need a little extra help.  Today I spoke to a parent of a student that I worked with last year.  She asked me to please work with her child again this year.  She said that at the beginning of last year her son hated school, hated reading and wanted nothing to do with either.  Today she said that he reads whenever he has an extra minute.  He reads in the car, on the bus, before breakfast, basically any time that he can.  She said that he is now enthusiastic and eager to go to school.  It was such a nice comment and made me feel wonderful.

When they finally get something they didn't understand, I love seeing their faces light up!

This just happened last week.  I teach visually impaired and blind students. I went to visit with a former student of mine who I was her vision teacher for 8 years. She is dying of a progressive disease but is still attending high school.  When I walked in, she recognized my voice and turned in her wheel chair and gave me the biggest hug and kiss.  She can't talk very well anymore but together we pieced together a favorite memory.  She struggled but asked me about my dog.  Wow.  My worst day is terrific.  She has been a blessing in my life.

by Terri B.

I love to see my former students in unexpected places like working at Dairy Queen.  They grow and mature so much so quickly.

I teach hearing impaired kids oral language and it is always rewarding to see them graduate from our program and go onto a mainstream program!!!

I'm an inner-city teacher in one of the poorest cities in America...so when I see a past student rise up and take part in society I am as proud as can be..it also feels great when they say thank you...or tell me how much they learned while in my class.

This is a tough one...

I think the most memorable moments of teaching encompass more than working with the students. I feel like I have so many little memorable moments here and there with my students that mean so much to me. But, some memories that have lasted through the years are the moments with my co-workers when we share our "funny kid moments" of the day and laugh and laugh and laugh. Being able to laugh with my co-workers is so important.

I love when students are learning and they don't realize they are learning.  For example, by playing games or doing activities that they think are for "fun!"

When a parent of one of my 5th graders stopped me in the grocery store to tell me that their child - then a 9th grader wrote an essay about his most influencial teacher - me!

I teach all ages, including adults, in my county.  Therefore, regardless of subject, I find the best part of my job is when I find my students teaching to other students and helping them understand.  I always stress to my students to give back, therefore, I do love finding that they try and live my motto as well.

I teach third grade and have for a number of years now. I'm just at the point where my first students have just graduated from high school. It means so much to me that they seek me out to say hi or email me with college updates. I remember them as well as they remember me. We have left a lasting impression on each other.

I am teaching a severely apraxic child to speak and socialize appropriately.  Every day we make amazing strides.  He is brilliant and curious.  So wonderful to see what a child can do!!!!

One of my FOURTH grade students told me at the end of the first day of school that he was so happy he got me as a teacher. He said I was the most beautiful and nicest teacher ever and that he was really excited about the year. Since then, every morning when entering the classroom he gives me a hug and tells me good morning. At the end of the day he gives me a hug and tells me he'll see me tomorrow. It brightens up my day no matter what mood I'm in!

My most memorable moment as a teacher was seeing my past kindergarten students in 5 grade now...wow! They grow up fast!

I am a first year teacher.  My most memorable moment so far was opening the door on the first day of school and seeing all those sweet,  expectant little faces looking up at me!

teach Learning Support and am often lucky enough to work with kids one-on-one.  A few minutes after I worked with a second grader and took him back to his classroom, he came back and said, "Miss S., that was a great lesson today.  It really helped me.  Thanks."  It pretty much just melted my heart.

by Kylie S.

My most memorable moment was when my class said, "thank you" upon leaving the classroom. I felt a sense of appreciation that they enjoyed my class so much. After 10 years of teaching I still feel that same appreciation when they thank me.

When I got my AIMS results and my students scores was amazing.

My most memorable moment at school was when I was a sub for six graders. One morning during class break I decided to engage the class in open discussion on the topic of Rap music. I wanted to know their thoughts and why they liked or disliked rap music. I knew the topic would stimulate their minds and make for freedom of expression. One student lamented that he like the lyrics and named the artist of the song. Another student responded, that her mother did not permit her to listen to rap music due to the negative the contents. Needless to say, the entire class was in an uproar, everyone talking out of turn to the other to make a point. Fortunately, I managed to calm the class down using my tactful method , thereby making my point. Without judging or condemning my students' opinions, I simply explained that while I wasn't a fan of rap music, I respected their opinions. I knew I had chosen the right profession as a sub teacher ( Currently working on a degree in Elementary education) when the entire class clapped  in my behalf saying "what a good speech, Ms. E", I was filled with joy that I could make a difference gaining their trust and friendship as a substitute teacher. A few students asked " I hope you come back tomorrow because we like you so much" brought tears  my eyes.  

by Carolyn E.

One of the cutest moments was when I was teaching in a preschool class and the sweetest little 3 year old asked me if "tissue" was a bad word??

My most memorable momement as a teacher is seeing a student graduate who many thought would never make it thorugh high school.

When my student’s father died was a moment in my teaching career that had the biggest impact on me. Brandon, an eighth grade at my school, unexpectedly lost his father in January of 2005. He was devastated at hearing the news of his father’s death at school. Brandon is the oldest of three boys and had an extremely close relationship with his father. Brandon really respected his father and even listened to his lengthy lectures on why it is so important to do well in school. He admired him because his father struggled in school and still managed to succeed later in life. Knowing that he and his mom did not get along well had me extremely worried about whether or not he would complete his eighth grade year. His dad helped with homework, took him to baseball and water polo practices, and gave him that special attention he needed. My heart was broken at the thought that he would feel alone and might just give up. Brandon’s relationship with his mother was inconsistent and strained at all times. I knew that it was going to take great effort on both our parts in order for him to get that diploma on graduation day. I think this event made me realize that I was needed more than I could possibly ever have imagined. I know students will ask for help and understand how I am needed in this way. But “being needed” took on a whole new meaning. My classroom became his safe haven. He could cry and not be judged. He could break down and grieve when needed. He could depend on me to stay after school to work on history or literature assignments even though I was tired and wanted to put my feet up and rest. He knew I would give him a ride home so that he wouldn’t have to walk. He knew that I would help him shop for a shirt, tie, and matching pants for graduation. He knew that I would be the one to remind him that his dad would want him to do his very best and that one day he would go to college. Brandon graduated in June of 2005. This experience made an impact on me because it shaped me as a teacher. It made me recognize that I need to be that kind of teacher for all my students. I made a difference in his life; consequently, he made a profound difference in mine.

I taught Kindergarten for the past three years in a low income urban school.  This year I decided to loop with my students and teach them first grade.  I told the news at the Kindergarten graduation.  After graduation I had a parent come up to me and tell me that she had changed her mind about taking her child out of our school because I would be teaching her next year.  I felt very honored that I touched that child and her family so much. :)