A Reflection in NPR's 12 Greatest Teachers

As I looked through NPR’s “How To Be A Great Teacher, From 12 Great Teachers” I picked out four articles that really stood out to me. The first article was about Sarah Hagan, a high school math teacher in Oklahoma. Hagan shows her love for teaching by pouring her heart and soul into her classroom. Hagan discussed how it can be exhausting and frustrating sometimes, but ultimately, the students need someone to support them and love them no matter what. I felt that this article related well the article about Tia Tsosie Begay, a fourth-grade teacher in Arizona. Begay describes how she had a fiery passion for teaching when she began, but now she must constantly remind herself that her students need someone who cares for them. Both of these articles made me reflect on the true heart behind teaching, which is loving your students. While lessons and standards are important, our students need teachers who will brush off the rough days and continue to support their students no matter the cost. Both Hagan and Begay’s philosophies showed me how important it is to believe in each and every one of your students, even the hard ones.

            The other two articles I enjoyed were the ones about Chris Palaez, a second-grade teaching in New York, and Nick Haley, a rowing coach in Oregon. Both of these men focus on building important character straits in their students, such as punctuality, perseverance, and self-confidence. As I read these articles, I was reminded that teachers are not limited to educating students on school subjects, but they are often needed to teach important life skills. Teachers can impact students’ lives by teaching them how to be respectful and responsible, simple life skills that will get them far in life. I feel that all four of these articles have truly shown how teaching is so much more than standards and tests, No, teaching is a job that requires you to love unconditionally, teach what is not required, and give what you do not always have. The best teachers are those who invest in their kids for life, not just the school year.