The Makers of Moments

Makers of Moments

Tomorrow, my two youngest kiddos will begin their senior year. This has me a little nostalgic, but it also has me thinking about the impact of a teacher. When I look back on my own school experiences, it’s not lessons I see- it’s a suitcase of small, collected moments. Each of them powerfully changed and shaped me in some way, good or bad.

I remember the joy of community in Kindergarten “circle time” as Mr. Darling read (and acted out) countless Shel Siverstein poems. But I also remember being so afraid of my 2nd grade teacher that I didn’t tell her that she mispronounced my name all year. 

As a 5th grader, I remember marveling at how a story can transport me as Mr. Demore read Where the Red Fern Grows each day after recess. But I also remember how one student was picked on mercilessly by my 6th grade teacher. I sometimes wonder what ever happened to that kid.  

I remember how Mrs. Howeth, in the midst of junior high drama, could somehow create a classroom environment where social hierarchy was left at the door and everyone was included. It was a gift.

I don’t remember the name of the coach who taught my algebra class and I don’t remember a single algebra lesson (which is probably why I got a C), but I vividly remember the powerful grace and compassion he showed when a fellow student had a family emergency. 

I remember when a teacher took up an embarrassing note from me in class. I was terrified that she would read it out loud but was surprised by her grace (and humor) when she chose to grade it for grammatical errors and return it to me instead. 

I loved Mrs. Buyers English class, I remember feeling so grown up and empowered as she discussed literature with us like we were adults, challenging us to expand our world view.

I could go on and on...with the good and the bad. And I know when you look back, you will find your own suitcase of collected moments. Some of these moments may have been intentionally created by our teachers, but I don’t believe most of them were. They stemmed from who they were, not from something they specifically taught. 

Teachers, our students are packing their own suitcases of moments that will shape them. What will they remember from your class? It will probably not be a lesson (sorry!), rather something that flows from who you are. We don’t get to choose what the moment will be, but we can probably predict the type of moment. We know that learning is relational and that our brains are hard-wired for human connection, therefore the moments your students take with them will probably be rooted in the relationships you build. 

When I was in the classroom, I used to ask my students (in a survey) at the end of every year - “what will you remember most from this class?” I can say that I was ALWAYS surprised by their answers and sometimes they remember things I don’t even remember happening. But their answers helped me learn a little more every year how to be the kind of teacher they needed. Their answers helped connect me to my why.

The fact is, our students are learning much more than our content from us. They are learning how to treat others. They are learning how to resolve conflict. They are learning how to stand up for what is right and how to appreciate differences. They will learn these things from your class whether you teach these things or not because they are learning from who you are. 

So make it count. Write down a couple of things you want your students to take from your class this year. Post it somewhere where you can see it every day. Then let your students in - let them see who you are, how much you value them, and what you want for their lives. Be the maker of moments that will shape them and grow them into world-changers. Because we are changing the world - one way or another - by the way we impact students.

Plan to end this school year by asking your students what they will remember most from your class. Then marvel at the privilege of having the hardest, most-rewarding, most impactful job in the world.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the moment-makers today!