My daughter Faustina and I recently talked about our favorite teachers as we rode home from her high school. She had to write about hers as part of a theology assignment. The class had been discussing Jesus as a teacher.
Her favorite teacher was patient, a good listener, someone who noticed students who were struggling. He taught her how to pray and that prayer matters. He taught that it's okay to be yourself, even if the rest of the world sees you as a dork.
By sharing his stories from high school, the instructor helped my daughter learn that we sometimes have to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. He applied the subjects he taught to everyday life, especially religion lessons, she said.
Good teachers are important. They change lives. They move us to consider possibilities we had never considered. They help us discover our capabilities and push us to be our best.
They are a regular, constant part of our lives for at least a semester. In our younger years, they wipe noses, tie shoes, pull teeth, bind wounds, hold hands and dry tears. In older grades they continue to celebrate with us, mourn with us, cheer for us, clean up after us and discipline us. They dedicate a huge portion of their lives to us. And even out of the classroom, they model good behavior and good lives.
Teacher appreciation week ends today at St. Columbkille School. But our appreciation for our teachers never ends.
Thank you, teachers, for all that you do.
Inspired by the Year of Faith, Susan Szalewski began writing weekly columns for us. Although that year is over, we liked them so well that we asked her to keep writing. Thankfully, she said yes. So watch for these on Thursdays and see the Year of Faith Blog here.
