Why I Stay--Slice of Life 4/16

Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers
host the Slice of Life every Tuesday.

A fellow blogger and Nerdy Book Club member, Beth Shaum,  recently put together a project about teacher retention.  She put out the call for submissions and I dropped the ball and didn't remember to write mine out and send it to her.

Then, a few days ago, I saw that the project had been completed.  I clicked on the link curious to find out how this project turned out and was amazed at this video.  What a powerful message and an important one for lawmakers and administrators to see.

In case you missed it:


You can go to the blog to continue the conversation here.


Why I Stay in education:

• Because I love my students and want to help them reach their potential
• Because it is the most challenging thing I have ever done...which also makes it the most rewarding
• Because each year I turn students into voracious readers that can't wait to share books with me
• Because I can help students learn to love math 
• Because I get to see amazing thoughts turned into thoughtful and well-crafted writing
• Because of the ah-ha moments and lightbulbs
• Because of the silence in the room when we read a particularly captivating book
• Because of the laughter from our attempts at humor and creativity
• Because every day I am reminded of how much hope I have for the future
• Because students need to have passionate teachers to guide them
• Because I get to help students learn how to get past intolerance to learn empathy and acceptance
• Because of the times that they take my ideas and make them better 
• Because of the learning that I get to do each and every day
• For the students who come back to tell me how much I influenced them
• For the students who come to school every day needing a hug or a smile 
• For the parents who love to see me when we bump into each other in the grocery store
• For the colleagues I can collaborate with in person and those in my PLN

I know this has been a popular subject today, but I can't think of another more important subject to write about than my passion for this wacky, challenging, infuriating, and amazing profession.