This morning I read this wonderful blog post by a high school special education teacher. She describes the little things along the way that let her know her kids are learning, and that they appreciate their time with her. It is beautifully written and a reminder for me of why I decided to become a special education teacher over 30 years ago. Seeing any child suddenly light up with new understanding is what most teachers live for. Watching a special education student struggle and struggle and then finally attain necessary skills that other children take for granted is beyond description. When I started teaching, I couldn't really see the full value of my work. My students would leave school and start lives of their own, usually without staying in touch.
But today, with social media, everything is different. I joined Facebook in 2009 just before I moved from Florida to New York City. Many of my colleagues warned me not to do this. They said that I was inviting a more personal relationship with my students which could be dangerous. It has not been a problem. In fact, it has been a window into my own accomplishments. I am now privileged to see the adult successes of many students I knew so long ago when they were children. I see them going to college, getting married, getting new jobs, having children, and living their lives. I see kids I met as teens, who still had not mastered the basics of reading, now working and going to college. I see bright futures for students I worried about every day during the time they were with me. I see some of the most troubled adolescents blossom into confident adults, at peace with themselves. A familiar saying for teachers is "I touch the future, I teach." Now, thanks to technology, we can actually see it.
But today, with social media, everything is different. I joined Facebook in 2009 just before I moved from Florida to New York City. Many of my colleagues warned me not to do this. They said that I was inviting a more personal relationship with my students which could be dangerous. It has not been a problem. In fact, it has been a window into my own accomplishments. I am now privileged to see the adult successes of many students I knew so long ago when they were children. I see them going to college, getting married, getting new jobs, having children, and living their lives. I see kids I met as teens, who still had not mastered the basics of reading, now working and going to college. I see bright futures for students I worried about every day during the time they were with me. I see some of the most troubled adolescents blossom into confident adults, at peace with themselves. A familiar saying for teachers is "I touch the future, I teach." Now, thanks to technology, we can actually see it.
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