It was at USM Summer Spark in Milwaukee when I first heard of Kevin Honeycutt. He was giving a keynote and was phenomenal. He spoke about connections between teachers and students. He talked about his own life (which he turned into a book, and book worthy it is!) and he had you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
Kevin gave me lots to think about and many messages to take away. One the really resounded with me was the need for teachers to speak up and share their stories. Share the amazing things happening in your classroom. Share what amazing things your students are learning and creating. Share what amazing things YOU are learning and creating as a teacher. And that we, as a profession, must stop being meek and mild about everything that is happening in our rooms. We owe it to our students and ourselves to share with the world what we can do.
So I would like to propose the idea of the Super Hero Teacher. Now I know this is not necessarily a new idea. Cards, posters and mugs designed for teacher appreciation time often make the case of teaching as a super power.
I feel that is not enough.
I want teachers to be seen as celebrities, to be seen in public and respected, revered, and celebrated. Great teachers have such an amazing impact on so many students over many years, that they deserve to be recognized for it.
Teachers have a huge job. They care for 20-40 students 6-8 hours a day for 195 days a year. Sometimes students see more of their teachers than their own parents. Teachers take on roles of educator, parent, mentor, and so much more.
There are television shows that follow Veterinarians, Scientists, Carpenters, Truckers, Hairdressers, Mechanics, Realtors, and so many more reality shows. But none about teachers. How interesting would it be to see what teachers do from sunup to sundown? To see the stories play out, for the world to be captivated and gripped by the stories of educators and students. To cheer the successes and console with the failures. To root for the underdog and be just as proud at the end of the season when you can see how kids have grown.
That is a show I want to see.
Teachers are super heroes, it's time to lose the masks and let the world know who we are.
Kevin gave me lots to think about and many messages to take away. One the really resounded with me was the need for teachers to speak up and share their stories. Share the amazing things happening in your classroom. Share what amazing things your students are learning and creating. Share what amazing things YOU are learning and creating as a teacher. And that we, as a profession, must stop being meek and mild about everything that is happening in our rooms. We owe it to our students and ourselves to share with the world what we can do.
So I would like to propose the idea of the Super Hero Teacher. Now I know this is not necessarily a new idea. Cards, posters and mugs designed for teacher appreciation time often make the case of teaching as a super power.
I feel that is not enough.
I want teachers to be seen as celebrities, to be seen in public and respected, revered, and celebrated. Great teachers have such an amazing impact on so many students over many years, that they deserve to be recognized for it.
Teachers have a huge job. They care for 20-40 students 6-8 hours a day for 195 days a year. Sometimes students see more of their teachers than their own parents. Teachers take on roles of educator, parent, mentor, and so much more.
There are television shows that follow Veterinarians, Scientists, Carpenters, Truckers, Hairdressers, Mechanics, Realtors, and so many more reality shows. But none about teachers. How interesting would it be to see what teachers do from sunup to sundown? To see the stories play out, for the world to be captivated and gripped by the stories of educators and students. To cheer the successes and console with the failures. To root for the underdog and be just as proud at the end of the season when you can see how kids have grown.
That is a show I want to see.
Teachers are super heroes, it's time to lose the masks and let the world know who we are.
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