My TOY Story

             When I heard the words “You are going to be Teacher of the Year”, I laughed out loud and shook my head. When it actually happened, I was shocked. But, when I found out I had to write my story, I considered declining the honor. Not because I didn’t want to take the time to write it, but because my story is like no other. I have wrestled with how much to tell and how much to gloss over because once my story is out, I can’t reel it back in. However, I decided that miracles aren’t miracles unless they are shared, and my story is nothing less than miraculous. You see, I was an eighth grade dropout and pregnant before I was old enough to drive. It is by the grace of God, that I am what I am, and I made it!

             As a child, I always said that I wanted to be a teacher. For the most part, school was my safe place. It was the only place that I was nurtured, and the only place I could smile, laugh and be myself because I was not welcomed in my own home.

            Education was not valued in my family and eighth grade was the cut-off point. I grew up in poverty, surrounded by divorce and alcoholism. My grandfather believed work was more important than school and as soon as I was old enough, I would be put to work to pay back what had been invested in me. Upon learning that I was pregnant, my grandfather signed away his obligation to me by giving his permission for me to get married.

            In hindsight, if it weren’t for my grandfather’s decision to release me, I would not be where I am today. He stepped out of my life and my husband’s parents stepped in. Although they were uneducated and didn’t speak a word of English, they had high expectations for their children, and I was no exception. My mother-in-law encouraged me to get my GED and my father-in-law taught me to drive. He coached me through three attempts to pass the driving test so I could get my license. Surrounded by love and encouragement, I became a fluent Spanish speaker in two years’ time, and I taught myself to read and write my second language.

            All along the way, it seems that someone was always watching over me and moving me in all the right directions. The dream of someday becoming a teacher never left my heart, but with only a GED, an aide position was the best I could do. I realize now that I was a teacher in training the whole time. I was entrusted with duties, responsibilities and opportunities that others were not offered.  

            Over the years, my co-workers and supervisors encouraged me to go to college. When asked what was holding me back, I was ashamed to admit that I was an 8^th grade dropout. However, I finally revealed the real reason for not pursuing college to one particular teacher. My secret did not change her opinion of me. In fact, she dug in her heels and worked harder to convince me that I could do it. Finally, going out of her way, she presented me with brochures from two local universities, all the necessary documents for enrollment and a degree plan! I started the following summer and four years later, at the age of 38, I graduated Magna Cum Laude on my 24^th wedding anniversary!

My first teaching position was as an elementary ESL teacher. I was so excited to finally have a classroom. I giggled with anticipation, as I turned my shiny, new key in the lock and pulled open the heavy, metal door to my classroom. The stale, warm air of the humble, “doublewide trailer” greeted me and welcomed me home. This was my first classroom, and it would become my home away from home for the next two years. To someone else, the portable might have been a disappointment, but to me it was beautiful because it was my dream come true.  

Luckily all the years and experiences as an instructional aide had prepared me for my first year in the classroom. Even though I was technically a “rookie”, I never experienced the broad range of emotions and self-doubt that most first year teachers experience.  From the moment I unlocked the door on that momentous day in 1999, I knew how to coax my students into giving me their best, how to manage a classroom and how to utilize the talents of my assistant. My first five years of teaching were a breeze!           

In my mind, to be a teacher is to be a champion for those who don’t know how to be champions for themselves. As a teacher, I have strived to provide a caring, nurturing environment built on a foundation of trust. I want my students and their families to feel safe, respected, valued and welcomed in my classroom.  

Although I believe every child can learn, many times learning can be delayed by circumstances beyond the child’s control, resulting in avoidance tactics and behavioral issues. I firmly believe in teaching the whole child: body, mind and soul. However, there have been several instances where gaining access to the whole child, means reaching out to the parent first.

One such instance came when one of my 4th grade ESL students, repeatedly failed to return forms that required a parent’s signature. After meeting and translating for his mother during a parent conference, the classroom teacher asked me to stress the importance of returning signed papers that were sent home. The child’s mother informed us that she always signed and returned forms. She then said, “I am always so embarrassed that I don’t have a real signature. I can barely print my name. My son can write better than I can! I would give anything to be able to have a pretty signature!”  It was then that I realized that this student wasn’t turning in signed papers because he too was embarrassed and ashamed that his mother couldn’t write her name.

After the meeting, I offered to help her develop her signature. While working with her, I discovered she was also trying to get her driver’s license. She had already taken the written portion in Spanish and had passed the test. However, she still needed to take the road test, but was terrified of driving and her husband had given up trying to teach her how to drive. Knowing how impatient husbands can be, I decided to help her overcome her fears so that she could get her license. First we practiced road rules with little toy cars. Then she watched me drive and finally I put her behind the wheel of my car. After only two attempts, she earned her driver’s license and proudly signed it with flourish!

On another occasion, I had another opportunity to reach out to the parent for the child's sake. I was working on report cards when a familiar face peeked through my door and said, “Miss, are you busy?” I looked up to see my new ESL student  standing in the door way. I said, “Hi sweetie, what’s up? Do you need help with something?” When she walked up to my desk, I could see tears welling up in her eyes, and when she spoke, she said the last thing I expected to hear. She answered my question with a question of her own. She said, “Miss, do you know how to pray?” I was dumb founded! I knew what I was supposed to say, but my heart wanted to respond, “Yes, I do!” When I finally found my voice, I followed my heart, held out my hands and said, “Yes, as a matter of fact I do.” As soon as our hands touched, she immediately started crying and said, “My mom is dying. She has diabetes really bad! She’s going blind and almost completely deaf, her blood sugar is really high and won't go down and she’s very sick! I’m scared that she’s gonna die this time!”

In one fell swoop, she explained everything that a ream’s worth of documents in her cum folder could not. Fear of losing her mother outweighed  learning to write complete sentences, memorizing the steps of long division or passing the state standardized test! I followed my heart and prayed for this child’s mother.

As reluctant as I was to share my story, much to my surprise, my essays passed through to the final rounds, and I was selected as one of the five finalists for District Teacher of the Year! After such a long arduous journey to get to where I am, it was absolutely amazing to be distinguished as one of the top five teachers out of over 4000 educators in my district.

Yes! I am a champion for my students! I teach the whole child: Body, Mind and Soul!
                                                  Prayer
Father God, I thank you for the plans you made for me and for sending people to guide and direct me in the way you desired me to go. Father you gave me the desires of my heart and more than I could ever ask or think of. Father, what you have done for me, you will do for the one reading this testimony today. Father, touch his/her heart and stir up his/her gifts and talents and awaken the dream that is yet to be fulfilled. Show him/her that it is never too late and that there is no problem or circumstance that is too difficult for you to turn around. In Jesus name. Amen!