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The Power and the Value of a Teacher
posted by: Tamia | October 25, 2021, 08:38 PM   

Maya Angelou said:

 

“This is the value of the teacher, who looks at a face and says there's something behind that and I want to reach that person, I want to influence that person, I want to encourage that person, I want to enrich, I want to call out that person who is behind that face, behind that color, behind that language, behind that tradition, behind that culture. I believe you can do it. I know what was done for me.”

 

There is no question that the power of an effective teacher is to create real change!  We know teachers have transformative powers through the evidence of the way that they positively affect their students’ lives.

 

Teachers have the power to affect a child’s life and to positively guide the path of their future.

 

Teachers have the power to cultivate self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-worth.

 

Teachers have the power to lay the foundation for meaningful relationships, for understanding feelings, and for navigating difficult situations.

 

Teachers have great power! With this power, as with any power, comes great responsibility.

 

Teachers have the responsibility to be positive role models, to be a shining example of who students can aspire to be.

 

Teachers have the responsibility to demonstrate self-control, emotional maturity, patience, and grace.

 

Teachers have the responsibility to be someone their students can count on, to respond to students with patience, and to help them advocate for themselves and others.

 

The power of a teacher cannot be ignored, from forming meaningful relationships with students and their families to being an advocate for their students’ needs and best interests. While I know my power as an educator requires that I be a voice for my students and a champion for their needs and rights, my greatest power is to empower my students to be that voice for themselves.  Even though I know that as a special education teacher, my students cannot always speak for themselves when they enter my classroom, I am dedicated to laying a firm foundation for a positive future. Their families need help navigating services, ensuring least restrictive and appropriate placements, and accessing necessary supports needed for success.  This community needs someone fighting for them and alongside them. They need teachers they can trust, who they can rely on, and who will do what is right for their child, always.

 

The power of a teacher is to begin every day with the belief that it is a new day to connect with students- even the most difficult ones. In doing this, they help them realize their abilities, inspire them to learn more, to do more, and to be more. They help them understand and truly believe that NOTHING is impossible.

 

THIS is the power of a teacher.

 

Today's guest blog post is by Jessica Saum, AAEF Advocacy Fellow, Arkansas special education teacher, and 2022 Arkansas State Teacher of the Year.z

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