Comments about teachers are appreciated

Published 8:34 am Thursday, March 4, 2010

A few years ago, the movie “Freedom Writers” was released to popular acclaim.

It is the true story of a young woman who begins teaching at an inner-city Los Angeles high school. She was inexperienced and unprepared, and the students were reluctant and resistant. But she persisted, and she discovered that journal writing was the way to get her students to care, to try and to learn.

Along the way, she learned much about teaching and about her students. The story is similar to other famous movies, such as “To Sir with Love,” “The Miracle Worker” and “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” I believe these movies resonate and are popular because they touch on some truths about teaching and what makes a special teacher.

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Every year, students, parents and teachers in Albert Lea nominate teachers for Albert Lea Teacher of the Year. This year 44 teachers were nominated for this honor. So what did the adults and teachers say about their nominees?

They saw “a genuine love for her students,” “an enthusiasm for working with struggling students,” a “dedication to teaching and learning,” “a unique style of energy after 25 years of teaching,” a teacher who “loves what she does,” and one who “keeps giving and giving.”

Adults admired teachers who are “knowledgeable, caring, nurturing,” “with high expectations,” “tireless,” “dedicated,” who has “energy, enthusiasm, critical thinking,” who “gives her heart,” is “always available to families,” and “puts students and their families first.”

Adults treasured teachers who “understand that learning is not a one-size-fits-all,” “who does not allow failure as an option,” sees that “every child is unique,” whose students “are excited to be there” and who “goes out of the way to help them succeed.”

One parent wrote that her child’s teacher “gave us our child back … by giving her confidence.”

Students were no less enthusiastic in their praises. They admired teachers who made students “feel welcome and wanted” and “teaches you things and you don’t even know it.” They nominated teachers who are “a good influence,” “who never let the ‘bad’ get to her,” “who is always there,” “who makes school work fun,” “is really good with kids,” is “the best teacher,” “caring,” “the bomb,” “kind,” and because “fourth grade was not easy … and she taught me to be a leader.” They sang the praises of teachers who “listen and care,” “teach reading the best,” who gave students “the confidence I needed to do my best,” and “never gave up on me.”

Hollywood movies seem to end with a scene in which the teacher is finally recognized and celebrated, brought up on a stage and thanked by one and all.

Unfortunately, life is not like that. But most teachers take pleasure and find rewards in the smaller events of the classroom: a student who finally understands how to do the math equation, the clear and expressive essay, the newly acquired physical skill, the experiment that is understood and goes well, the class discussion that resonates. And while these events may be enough for teachers, the kind comments of parents, colleagues and students do mean so much.

The committee thanks those who nominated a teacher, and we encourage everyone to congratulate them and to thank all of the wonderful teachers in our district for their dedication, skill, caring and hard work.

Mary Hinnenkamp is a member of the Teacher of the Year Committee and the coordinator of the Albert Lea Learning Center.