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Rich Henderson's Diary
The First 180 Days

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Rich Henderson, a lawyer, always dreamed of being a teacher. Last year, he gave up his law career and returned to the classroom to earn his teaching certification. This year, his dream finally comes true in a fifth-grade classroom in suburban Woodbury, Connecticut. Each week during this school year -- Rich's first year in the classroom -- he will share with Education World readers his thoughts and feelings about his first 180 days!

Rich's Diary: The Power of Words

Week 36

Words are powerful. They can build or destroy. They can help or hurt. They can encourage or discourage. They are indeed influential. This week, words were spoken to me that left me momentarily speechless. They were "good" words, encouraging words, words that caused me to reflect on my decision to become a teacher. I realize that through those words, I made a decision that not only benefited me but has, in some ways, benefited others as well. I made the right choice in becoming a teacher, and those words were a confirmation of that.

Here are the words: "I don't know what it is, but when he teaches, it just grabs me." A parent of one of my students told me her son said those words to her as a commentary on my teaching. When I heard this, I was taken aback -- surprised -- not at receiving a compliment but at the depth and meaning of those words. That child didn't simply say that I was "OK" or a "good teacher." His commentary, as simple and innocent as it might have been, went directly and precisely to my teaching abilities.

This student's words were incredibly powerful and indicated several things to me. They told me that in some way, I have made a wonderful student-teacher connection through which information can pass and skills can develop. They told me that this student is an active participant in the lessons and that through this connection and participation, he grew intellectually and academically. They told me that amid the first-year mistakes that I have made and the things that I may be doing wrong, I am also doing something right. They told me that when I decided to become a teacher, I made one of the best decisions in my life.

Frustration is sometimes a teacher's companion. We may ask ourselves "Am I getting through to my students?" "Am I doing enough to help them learn?" Sometimes, I struggle with both the questions and the answers that I receive. When I receive a compliment, however, such as the one I mentioned above, it melts away the frustration and strengthens my resolve to teach. It certainly was a good week.

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Rich Henderson
Education World®
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05/31/2001