Magic Rock

You have just won the lottery and have decided to take a world cruise. You will have very little time to spend with your replacement. If you could give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice what would it be, and why?

I would give my replacement their very own magic rock and advise them to expect greatness from the students.

Why?

A couple years ago I was having a rough time, I was not sure teaching was where I was supposed to be. During summer vacation I took a trip and while returning I encountered one of my former students who was also on vacation, he gave me a rock and told me how much I meant to him as a teacher.This rock is not pretty, not gem quality or unique . Matter of fact it is a common piece of gravel, just like we run over everyday and think nothing of.

So how is this rock magic? It is a constant reminder of that ONE student and all the other students that blend in to our daily life. It is a conversation starter, I have simply placed it in my hand during classroom instruction and all eyes center on it. Immediately hands go up. Why do you carry a rock? Sometimes I explain how many rocks we run over on our way to our destinations and how our movements shape the rock.I explain that we have the same impact on others around us. I also ask why did you notice that rock? What made it special? Amazing what the answers are.

Besides the magic ability to start conversation my rock has many other magic abilities. It has stopped children from crying and put an end to arguments. Now I know it sounds strange, and maybe even corny but this common piece of gravel has achieved greatness in that it was a gift, has a message written on it, travels with me daily and is a symbol of what happens when you expect greatness.

So my final message would be to always expect greatness from your students and keep the rock to help remind you that someone really cares.