Teachers

I never realized till recently, how much teachers influence our lives, how important they are, and how special they are.

I recently started teaching infants through kindergarten music and theater, and it has been such an amazing experience. I love watching the infants smile and hearing the funny things the kids have to say and I love when the children remember something that I taught in a previous lesson. It means my job was done well. The other day, I taught about masks and the children got really into the lesson. We talked about how Batman and Spiderman wear masks and how princesses wear beautiful dresses, which one can wear as a costume on Halloween. It was amazing because when I came back a week later to teach those same Preschool kids a new lesson, they all shouted…”Miss Nicole, look at our shirts!” Almost every kid had some superhero with a mask on or a Disney princess or an animal on their shirt. It was amazing how the lesson affected them that much and got them that eager to learn something new. They all said to me, “We really want to be on TV!” I told them, that they had to first work hard and pay attention in my class and then they would be able to have hopes of being on TV. It was so cool to be able to respond to them in positive, encouraging ways.

The other night, I also taught acting to a 45-year-old man. He is incredible. He got a bit part in an independent film and seeked me out and I started teaching him. Since then he has gotten in a commercial, another independent film and a play. It is amazing to watch him grow with his acting and be comfortable trying out different roles. I coached him for two hours the other night and saw amazing strides! I love seeing others succeed.

I wish I could go back and thank my teachers. Looking back, I always thought they were the bad guys, wanting me to do poorly, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I think teachers want you to do the best that YOU can do and they give you the best that THEY have. They only discipline to make sure you learn and they feel a passion for the material that they are trying to express to you. I can remember the teachers who stood out in my life, the ones who inspired me. But I can also remember the teachers that I didn’t like and looking back, I can say if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have all the knowledge that I have.

I am excited to teach more people throughout life. It is a wonderful thing to be able to share something with someone else. I always say, learn from people because you can’t read every book and now more than ever, I think that it is so true.