In a fortunate circumstance my wife met a retired teacher this morning at an appointment. This lady, 86 years young was pleasant to speak to, and it would seem very pleased to be chatting with a practicing teacher about the current state of our profession. As I reflected on my wife's conversation, it donned on me how important relationships are to teaching. It is the human relationships and connections that are what great teachers (dare I say leaders) manage best.
I know and understand that teaching your curriculum is very important, this is a large part of my job as a teacher. That said, my wife was discussing the fact that this lady taught as a teacher / librarian for twenty years at a local high school I am currently employed at. I thought of the fact that very few teachers and students currently at the school know her now. This is because of the fact she has been gone from the school for so long. This lady is at a different stage of her life, a stage that doesn't involve the daily grind of teaching and learning with students. Yet, she still reflects on teaching & learning...hmmm, a true professional I think!)
Teachers are not schools. As a teacher, and a student I have changed schools before, and it is amazing to me how quickly you are "out of the loop" with regards to your former students and colleagues. Our career is defined by our relationships with students, parents and colleagues. These same teachers and students, all on their own journey in life, move on in their lives with or without you. I believe that teachers need to be very mindful of the importance of relationships as they progress through their careers. One day, my classroom(s) will no longer be an everyday part of my life. They will be used by other students and teachers, and these students and teachers won't know, or care, that I once taught in their room because I am not a part of the school.
My wife's chance meeting with a retired teacher was a blessing for me because it caused me to reflect on the importance of relationships in teaching. A simple conversation in a waiting room, affirmed for me a comment a former Principal of mine once made to me.
"When I hire teachers, the first, and most important thing I look for is their ability to build relationships."
I love the fact that an 86 year old teacher can have an informed discussion with a current teacher about literacy, and 21st. Century learning, and this teacher can do this because she knows how to build relationships. As a teacher, my main strength is my ability to build relationships with my students and colleagues. I know I can improve on other areas of my teaching, and I work hard to to this, but improving your ability to build relationships is a big step for some. This encounter made me think about why I teach, and how I can make a positive impact on my students and colleagues.
What kind of relationships will define your career? It's a question worth asking, because if you don't build positive relationships, this is how you will be remembered.
