Teachers always seem to be held to a higher standard of behaviors simply because of the nature of the profession. Indiscretions are rampant in every single work environment, yet when one teacher makes a bad decision, the whole profession suffers the wrath of the public. Good teachers seldom are praised, but bad ones automatically represent all teachers everywhere. In a society that is largely “do as I say, not as I do”, teachers are expected to lead by example.
I happen to think that all human beings, regardless of vocation, should be the kind of person that we’d like others to be. As a teacher, I always modeled what I expected of my students, as consistently as possible. If they couldn’t have their phones in class, I didn’t have mine. I didn’t allow gum-chewing in class, therefore I would never chew gum in class. I didn’t want them to give up on anything so I never gave up on them.
I didn’t realize what effect I would have on my students when I made the decision to go public with my diagnosis. I discovered that I was teaching my students about much more than what the curriculum dictated, simply because of what I stood for. I never gave anything less than 200% despite all the excuses I could have made to give less. Many students connected with me because they saw me as human, with challenges and limitations that are not within my control, just like them.
Instead of retreating, they saw me become more open. They were comfortable asking questions, and they were truly interested in what my answers were. They saw me raising awareness of MS and the often debilitating (and invisible) symptoms that go along with it. They saw me working towards my goals despite an uncertain future. They will tell you that they were never turned away at my door, regardless of the piles of work I had to do, the number deadlines I was facing, or how much pain I was experiencing. They always found me seemingly just waiting for them, and always with a smile on my face. They cheered me up through the times I was out for treatment, and made me feel appreciated when I came back. Finally, just before my last “attack” that took me out of work, they marveled at the fact that I earned my Masters Degree while working full time AND going to school. I almost blew their minds when I told them I graduated Summa Cum Laude, especially after I explained what that meant.
I’m not saying all of this to toot my own horn. It’s quite the opposite really. It wasn’t until I got sick that I realized I had always been that same person, but the fact that I had this illness made all those things into more than just teachable moments. Everything took on a different meaning, and now when I look back at my career, I don’t think the vast majority of my students will remember their textbook Spanish. But I like to think that they will remember the life lessons I tried to teach by example.
Tenacity. Determination. Strength of spirit. Passion. These are characteristics I have found in myself through my journey with MS, and if I could teach any of my students about the importance of each one of those qualities, then I have, indeed, done what is expected of us teachers. I made my share of mistakes, but I am only human, and I own my mistakes so that I can learn from them. Obstacles and mistakes litter the pathway to strength and success. I learned this as I struggled through the tough times, always becoming stronger for the wear on the other side.
This is the legacy I hope to have left behind with my students. If I have done that much, then I can proudly say that I have truly led by example.