To stand up proudly
Knowing you have done the thing
That you were made to do
And not just for your own good,
But for a person hardly noticed,
Needing pushing for a future
That’s bright if nurtured right.
A couple of years ago, I went to see a talk about Queen Esther and the famous verse ‘for such a time as this’. I was so inspired when I heard it, but I never really knew if I was made for anything in particular.
I watched the NHS doctors and nurses working hard during the pandemic and thought that they embodied that verse so perfectly, and yet I still couldn’t see where I fitted in.
Since starting teaching, I’ve started to feel like I’m finding my place in the world, but I do struggle with bits of it and I wonder if I’m having the effect on students that I want. What if I’m not pushing the clever kids enough? What if I’m letting struggling kids fall even further behind? What if my struggles with behaviour management mean that everyone is suffering?
However, today we put on an assembly for a couple of hundred kids across all year groups. I had nobody in my tutor group who was willing to step up to the plate and help. And then suddenly, a hand was tentatively raised.
‘I’ll do it Miss.’
The girl who offered – and did the job brilliantly – has struggled with confidence issues during the year. She started off putting her hands over her ears and staring at the desk during every tutor session. Gradually, I’ve helped to pull her out a bit, and I felt like today was something of a revelation.
I don’t think that I’m entirely responsible but I do know that I have lots of anxious kids that are making leaps and bounds with their confidence. I hope that my attitude and my manner with these kids plays a part.
I may let some kids down during my career as a teacher, but I hope that this student will remember how empowered she felt today as she stood up and showed the world that she has a voice.
I was super proud and I felt like I was born for such a time as that.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Little Charmer
Well done too you – and to your student 👍 This is great 🖤
patientandkindlove
It was such a wonderful moment. I felt like a proud parent!
Little Charmer
So you should!! 😁🖤
Greg Dennison
I think every teacher feels this at some point, and I think every teacher makes more of a difference than he or she realizes. Keep doing what you’re doing.
patientandkindlove
I hope that experience really helps that student. I hope that I get to see this happen many times over the course of my career.
Margot Kinberg
I am so happy to hear that you are finding your place, and seeing where you fit in, Rachel! That’s wonderful! You are making a difference, and you are lighting up lives, even for those students who don’t see it yet. Well done!
patientandkindlove
I was on such a high all day and I hope that student realises how powerful she can be when she makes that choice.
Vic Crain
It’s moments like these that make the struggle worthwhile. We all have them, if we are involved in helping people, as we all should be.
patientandkindlove
Yes, and we need to hold onto them as they are so often overshadowed by kids being nasty. And that can be sad.
clcouch123
Wow, she and you did well!
patientandkindlove
I was sooooo proud.