Being a teacher is sort of like this scene from Groundhog Day.
Easily one of my favorite movies of all time, I love this part and I relate so much to Phil's character. He says to the kid, "You've never thanked me!" But day after day, he is there, with his arms stretched out, ready to catch the kid, even though he knows that tomorrow the kid will still not say thank you. The movie is a metaphor for our lives. We do the same thing, day after day, and our actions dictate an outcome and the level of our satisfaction. It is a good reminder to 'choose your attitude.' At the beginning of the movie, Phil has a horrible attitude about being stuck in the day, but eventually, he realizes what a wonderful opportunity it is to do amazing things for other people. In the end, he is changed for the better. Dedicating your life to teaching is like reenacting this scene, over and over and over. You may not catch every kid, you may not always get a 'thanks' or even an acknowledgement, but you made a difference for that one and if it matters to you, then it is important and worthwhile. And you try as hard as you can. You don't do it for the props, you do it because it is the right thing to do and in the end, your life is better because you tried. Sometimes we use 'thank you' as a filler. We say it in response to someone helping us or holding the door open or for handing us our change in the check out line. It isn't that we don't mean it, but it is just something you say. One thing that I really try to make an effort to do, is notice when someone has gone out of their way to make an effort, and tell them 'thank you' and really mean it. A 'thank you' at the right time, can be incredibly powerful.
3 Comments
3/2/2016 06:11:54 pm
What a great idea to include a movie clip as an analogy for life. Loved it!! Your thoughts are so true. It was a great reminder of what we should strive to do every day!
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Alicia Zornes
3/2/2016 06:47:07 pm
This was a great reminder about why we do what we do each day. We may never know the impact we have on others, and a sincere, heartfelt thank you can make all the difference in someone's life. Thanks for sharing!
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Mrs. Mitchell
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