When God Created Teachers...

All too often I tend to focus on negative aspects instead of counting my blessings.  Today as I was cleaning out my closet I came across a gift a former student gave me back in 2001.  The gift is a poem placed inside a picture frame.  Reading the poem today brought me to tears.  I have lost sight of why I became a teacher and this poem reminded me of what is really important in working with children.  I used to look at teaching as a calling.  It was something I loved doing more than anything.  But recently I've viewed teaching as nothing but a job.  I need to redirect my focus as a teacher.  Teaching isn't about how much or how little money I make.  It isn't about complaining because I didn't get the new smart board or that I have spent hundreds of dollars on school supplies.  It's about the children, their ability to try and learn and my ability to guide them in the best ways possible.  So I want to thank that former student for giving me such a special gift.  It isn't just a framed poem, it's a lesson in redirecting my focus and learning to be a special guide for every child who walks into my classroom!  

When God Created Teachers

When God created teachers,

He gave me special friends

To Help me understand His world

And truly comprehend

The beauty and the wonder

Of everything I see, 

And become a better person

With each discovery. 

When God created Mrs. Jacobs, 

He gave me a special guide

To show me ways in which to grow

So I can decide

How to live and how to do

What's right instead of wrong, 

To lead me so that I can lead

And learn how to be strong.

When God created teacher, 

In His wisdom and His grace, 

Was to help me learn to make our world

A better, wiser place.