All Fellows Forum (Fall 2022)

 “A teacher may be the lone sliver of light, for a child, on any given day or may be the shadow that silences a child’s hope. Teachers possess a true super power to list up or cast down. A teacher makes a difference, one way or another”

Angela Adams

On November 28th, 2022 (1st semester of my senior year), I attended the All Teaching Fellows Forum where several leaders of education came and spoke to us about why teachers are important at this time and what tips they have for us, as future teachers. One guest teacher told a true story that stood out to me the most. She spoke of a high school student who was ready to commit suicide before receiving a voicemail from his teacher saying that she missed him at school that day and that she was looking forward to catching him up on the work he missed. This messaged encouraged the student not to commit suicide and he returned to school. Eventually, this student chose a career in education as well. He now tells this story to other teachers to communicate the importance a teacher can have in the life of his/her students. 

As an elementary school teacher, my students may not be facing the same struggles and difficult thoughts as this particular student was, but that doesn’t change the fact that, as a teacher, I will have the opportunity to connect with my students, build relationships with them, and spark hope in ways they may need it the most. I will carry this story with me as a reminder that the effort and love I put into teaching truly matters.