With New Eyes - Jeri Wylie Smith

I had my eyes opened to something else that I have been taking for granted.  The practicum students were very open about their amazement at the pace at which we work during an average day.  Maham told me often that she could not get over the speed at which we move, making untold numbers of decisions, answering many questions, and dealing with several student issues, questions and concerns nearly simultaneously.  In an early meeting with university supervisors, we were told that university students find their practicum experiences absolutely exhausting.  I discussed this with my student teacher and Maham said it was true.  It really hit me that teachers are multi-taskers extraordinaire.  If we did only one thing at once, we’d never get through a term!  I developed a new appreciation for the role that good health and abundant energy plays in making us effective instructors.

Maham, Jason, and Claire left here espousing great admiration for our college, our students and, especially, our department.  They enjoyed getting to know our staff.  They also enjoyed meeting the students and expressed a deep appreciation for how hard they work and the numbers of barriers they face in pursuing further education as adults.  They left with a greater understanding of the challenges of the teaching profession, but also of the great satisfaction it can bring.  Many of our students went out of their way to thank them for their help and this really brought it home to them that teachers have the ability to have a long lasting impact on the lives of their students. 

Hosting these students was a pleasure and a privilege.   It was a great opportunity to give back a little to the teaching profession and it was inspiring to see the quality of students who are choosing this as their career.  Most of all though, it was a gift – a gift of seeing our profession and our daily work through new eyes.  Those new eyes affirmed the value of what we do and reminded me of why we work as hard as we do.