I'm pretty lucky -- my classroom is big, so I have space for a nice desk chair, plenty of bookshelves, a huge desk, and a green couch. I also have a ridiculous amount of wall space to decorate, so much so that after I put up all the helpful stuff like posters about literary devices, guides to being a better reader/writer, and all the necessary info about my school, I have tons of space left over for true decorations.
Posters from the local Shakespeare in the Park productions decorate one corner, while another is devoted to my nerdy loves like Lord of the Rings and Firefly. Since I've taught British Literature before, I have a Sherlock poster as well as Harry Potter one. I even made one last year with "Don't Panic" written on it in large, friendly letters.
But one of my favorite posters is small and unobtrusive. Some of my students may never even notice it, but I look at it on a near-daily basis. Check it out:
I love this quote. It's attributed to Mother Teresa, which I know isn't accurate. In fact, the Paradoxical Commandments, as they are known, were written by Dr. Kent M. Keith, a speaker and author, back when he was only 19 years old. In a biography of Mother Teresa, the author reported seeing these posted on the walls of her Calcutta's children's home, which is probably how the confusion of attribution came about. From what I've read, a few of the commandments Keith wrote are missing from this poster, and some of the words have been wiggled around a bit.
None of that changes the power these words carry.
I love this quote. I try to read the poster, conveniently situated directly in line with my desk, every single day. The requests it makes are hard -- be kind when people are suspicious or mean, be happy even when others are jealous, do your best even when it might not be enough. None of these things are easy, but all of them can help you live a full life.
I'm not a particularly religious person, but I don't think you have to be to appreciate these ideas. I'm trying to live the best life I can, and for me, that includes creativity and happiness and helping other people. Those things are not passive pursuits; they require effort. But no matter what, I am accountable only to myself for my happiness or success or anything else.
It's a sentiment I want my students to understand, and so I keep this in my room as a reminder both to myself and to them.
It is also, at times, the perfect pick-me-up for my job.
As you can imagine, students are not always nice. They cause trouble, say cruel things to me or to peers, waste time, screw around, don't try, and many other things that can, at the end of the day, leave me feeling exhausted and disheartened.
But I can read this quote, and even though I know it won't make me feel better every time, it helps.
The title of my blog is an allusion to this quote because it's something I remind myself every day: Teach Anyway.
Students are often mean, cranky, or lazy.
Teach them anyway.
When things go wrong, parents are often demanding and willing to lay blame.
Reach out to them anyway.
When you offer to help, students may respond with refusal or laziness.
Offer anyway.
When you build lesson plans, you may be unsure and nervous that something won't work.
Plan them anyway.
When you re-teach something, you might be tired and sick of the topic.
Re-teach it anyway.
In meetings, colleagues may refuse to offer support or accept your help.
Support them anyway.
Administrators may never notice the amazing things you do in the classroom.
Do them anyway.
You will go to bed exhausted from too much grading and need too much coffee in the mornings.
Get up anyway.
Teaching is not just a profession; it's a calling. Some days, that calling is stressful and unfulfilling.
Teach Anyway.
Teach for the days that are amazing, that are worthwhile. Teach for the students whose faces light up, who push themselves to be better, who will go on to change the world.
Think of that at the ends of long days, and get up the next morning renewed.
Teachers can and do change the world. So even when everything goes horribly wrong, teach anyway.
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