Thankful Teacher
First, I am grateful to have had a long career in law enforcement and making it to retirement. I am thankful for finding a teaching position in my field of interest and education after my retirement. When I started teaching on August 3, 2006, I had some misgivings about teaching teenagers in high school. Having been a police officer, I was more conditioned in arresting or putting criminal juveniles in jail. Definitely, I was not keen on teaching teenagers the pros and cons of law enforcement. But, now after two full years and one semester, I have discovered that teaching has become rewarding in many ways. I know I have made a difference in most of my student’s lives. I have discovered that students respond to you according to the way you treat them. I treat the students with respect and they treat me the same way. I may be the teacher but I have learned much from my students as well. The majority of the time, my students and I find class time pleasant and enjoyable. Therefore, I’m truly thankful that my transition from law enforcement and becoming a teacher has gone so well.
Hi, Mark - very well said and I would add that you are now making a difference on the front end so that your partners in law enforcement may not have to take action on their end. Role models do make a difference - keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteMark, I agree that we tend to learn as much from our students as our students learn from us. I also realize that they take in every aspect of what we do each day. They know immediately if I am unhappy or frustrated (except when it's related to them not turning in an assignment, they don't seem to get that)!!!! I also agree with the respect part and try hard to let them make some decisions in the classroom and take some ownership in their environment. Most teenagers really are great, but they can get a bad rap because of a few who make poor decisions. I'm glad some have teachers like you who believe in them and can give them the tools that they need to make a future for themselves.
ReplyDeleteMark, I enjoyed reading your comment as I too can understand the transition is a unique one. Although I was not in Law Enforcement nearly as long as you, I too found it challenging in many ways to transform from "officer mentality" to "teacher mentality." I have only been teaching for a year and a semester and am still learning much of what works and what does not...but knowing that I can help students learn a lot about the law...more than some adults know makes me appreciate and enjoy my job.
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