When I was growing up, I never really had favorite teachers, nor have memories of any instructor having a great impact on my view of the future. We do hear about those who remember teachers who made an impact on their lives, and I think this happens from time to time, especially when one instructor truly cares and creates lessons, projects, and an overall academic year, encouraging but also expecting higher efforts and excellence. Real excellence.
What I do remember that had an impact on me were certain classes, certain lessons, and sometimes, certain teachers when I could “see” where they were coming from. One teacher, who taught typing, had a strong, serious, but at times, light-hearted way about him, and by his strict but also purposeful way, we learned. Because of his relevance, we took him seriously, and I was able to type 45 wpm: accurately. So, I took his class again when business law came up as an elective. Boy, were those classes informative and interesting. I also like my high school art instructor, and through her encouragement, I was able to place third at state. My middle school art teacher, with his interesting assignments, knowing his craft, opened the door to high school art, and of course, I took art in college while learning business.
What I realized along the way, perhaps more in adulthood, was the classes that I liked the best were the ones where I felt I really learned something. One elementary science class, putting together atoms, was enjoyable, but when that teacher later filled the classes with almost entirely book work afterwards, she was losing me. In another class, we learned about banks and savings accounts, how to fill checks and balance checkbooks. That really opened my eyes. It was real. Something I would need in adulthood. In a home economics class, we cooked some quality meals, following the instructions. I think through that class, I better understood steps, having to follow or destroy the meal.
And where I could, as a teacher, I brought in real experiences. Business cards on a storage door, so kids could write to businesses and ask questions. Having students play board games, then create their own, with instructions, which we would later trade so students could play each other’s games. Map making. Designing cities, brainstorming what cities should contain (i.e. businesses, homes, signs, roads, parks, bridges, and the laws/regulations necessary for a civilized community.). Creating commercials, then discussing commercials we’ve seen, pondering upon the methods used to get people to buy those products. Do you know, most people don’t know, and certainly not most kids/teens, that the commercials are what pay actors/actresses their salaries? Which explains why programs have so many advertisements. I think, on an hour show, I timed about twenty or so minutes of commercials: nearly half of the program. Which is why I like to tape shows and zip through the commercials. Or have two programs I’m watching, so when one goes to commercials, I switch to another, sometimes having a third in case both shows are in commercial break. You see, I never buy anything because of commercials. I do the research on my own. *And yes, all these lessons support the standards. The better you understand the standards, the more you realize real-life lessons and projects support. The more kids/ teens do well, the more they think for themselves, the more they aim for excellence in all they do, the better they can pass any test.
In some of my classes, after teaching checking/savings accounts, and how the banks take our money to lend, for that’s how they make money among other programs, I taught them mutual funds. I explained stocks and mutual funds. In stocks, you’re putting your money perhaps with one company, so your risk is higher. In mutual funds, you’re putting your money with groups of companies, so risk is spread. And if you diversify, while you’re working at jobs, careers, or your own business, the money you put away is working for you. In fact, a middle income person, if they understand these things, can be a multi-millionaire at early retirement, then having the opportunity to choose what fields to work, even travel more. If only my teachers had taught us these things I might have been much further along.
And we discuss businesses. Learning from others. Getting seed money. Getting investors. And more. Some of the boys imagine playing in the NFL or other professional sports, the girls too. So, we run the numbers. I demonstrate that there are probably less than 1,800 players in any one year, and some of them don’t last an entire year, replaced by other players waiting to play. So, of all the young boys and girls playing sports, how many will ever reach the pros? And if they reach the pros, how long will that career last much less how much money will they make? We calculate a fraction of a percent will ever get a tryout. And the average career is about three years. But, as I explain, if you have talent, then that’s a beginning. Then it’s work, work, work, going to different trainings, living and breathing sports. For, I asked, even at a school like Alabama or Georgia, who have the best of the best players, how many of those ever make the NFL. A few? And how many last?
But I explain to them, if you hear this reality, but you’re determined anyways, then you might be one to make it (With younger kids, just let them dream the dream. With the older kids, or middle school students, I get them to consider real options, but hope.). But it requires determination beyond anything most of us have seen. Then, as I look at the boys, I can see if any have that resolve. But if they don’t they might so later. But I explain, it’s one step at a time. Play in youth leagues. Play in high school. Go to any trainings available. When you’re at a university, step it up. And maybe, just maybe, if you really shine, you might have a chance at a tryout. And for those who do, it’s worth it. But in the mean-time, learn, get a quality education (in school and out). Get hobbies and find what you like and what your good at (They often happen to be one and the same.). Have part time jobs. Learn a trade or two. For even if you make the NFL, there’s a life afterwards. If you play five years, what will you do after? Even if you play ten to fifteen years, you’ll still be in your thirties, time to do something else. In your second career?
Well, this talk had a huge impact on one student. He had dreamed of being in the NFL, but talking the real talk, he decided what he really wanted to do was to become an EMT. So we talked. He had dreamed of becoming and EMT, talked with others in the field, and looked forward to that career. The NFL thing was because that’s what his peers talked about. Reality helped him make a better decision. Though, I explained, you can still go for the NFL, training to be an EMT, and when the first is over, you can have the second career. You can have both careers. For another student, he/she really wanted to play in the big leagues. So, I said, go for it. You see, in education, the talks, chats, discussions, research, and all that, along with quality lessons and projects opens the doors of understanding so the kids can make better decisions, though those decisions may change over time. But informed.
For parents home schooling, you have a great opportunity. As long as you teach quality writing (i.e. essays, letters, business letters, stories, plays, and such) with quality grammar, support quality reading by opening the doors of interest, teach practical skills (i.e. cooking, sewing, camping, and more), and support interest in real science and history, you can do just about anything. Learn about this field and that. Go to business and talk afterwards. Go to museums. Try different hobbies. And when the kids are interested in something (i.e. dancing, singing, making jewelry to sell, lemonade stands, whatever), go with it. But also teach the value of perseverance. Meaning, if the child wants to play soccer, gymnastics, martial arts, explain they will have to complete the season. If you go for it you can’t quit. The purpose of this is when things are tough, they don’t quit. Okay, if you decide you don’t like the clarinet, you must finish this year, but next year you can try something else. This is necessary, for some don’t discover how much they like something until they go through the tough times. Andre Agassi, one of the best tennis players became so partly because of a stern father who loved him.
When I became a teacher, I wondered what was I thinking? But I had tried many jobs and so decided I could no longer change my mind. But it was, early on, the most difficult career I could choose. It probably had to be challenging or I might not have remained. In maintenance, I probably could fix anything. In sales, I quickly moved to management, though in smaller departments, but I had only given it a couple years. But teaching provided a challenge, something summer camps encouraged, and I knew early on I had something beneficial to others.
But when I subbed for a year, I must say, seeing all those kids/teens each time was excruciating, filled with doubts and concern. In my first long-term subbing assignment, I blew it, but still got a letter of recommendation from the principle. I learned the value of making the best of anything. But in my first full-time job, it was enjoyable but also filled with wonder. Could I do the job? I knew I could. But these are real people. I had their futures in my hand. For one year, I could teach them things that would, in part, help them. But by the second year, I was hooked. Though changes over the years made it increasingly difficult to teach them things that would really prepare them.
But I was lucky. On some occasions, I would meet a former student, then an adult, and they would tell me how they learned in my class. I was so happy for them. For now, they could be a good example to their own future children and to others.
This is for you, the parents, and any teachers that have the opportunity to really teach. It’s not pretty, at least, not all the time. For myself, each year was filled with challenges. But for whatever reason, I would always seek to do my best. But whatever the situation, more so for parents, you will do well if love is in your heart. For the road is long. Each year filled with opportunities and “ah haaa” moments, for in truth, the children will love you for the time you spent, but also the research and exploration of trying this and that. While teaching a quality curriculum, you open doors by thinking outside the box. For then, the kids/teens think, with responsibility, learn never to quit, and when they grow up, they will chart their own paths.

We are too. I wish we had better packets to work with here. The kids had to be sent home so hastily that the teachers did not have time to prepare anything. All they have is reading and writing, and the rest is up to me.

We are all in this together— the whole country, so that’s a little comforting. I let them be slugs on Friday, and I’m planning to this Friday too. I haven’t even started planning next week yet.