The Power in You: Teachers Influence in Students’ Lives

It’s that time of the year: Back to School after a lengthy summer vacation. Teachers truly appreciate well-deserved time off to pursue personal interests, hobbies, and other personal goals. Vacation spots are a treasure and having free time is a precious commodity. I love summer time. It is a time to slow down and recharge. There is a certain sadness when summer time is over. I love being a teacher but it is a very demanding and sacrificial profession with very little personal time.This summer I had a chance to reflect upon my career as an educator and what impact it has on my life and the lives of others. I received a call from a student that reaffirms what teachers do and why they do it: because it matters!

I taught English as a Second Language to this Spanish speaking student more than 10 years ago. At that time, she was well into her 70’s. It was a pleasure to see her come to class, sit there while paying close attention to instruction, and being happy by being able to say: “Hi, my name is Maria”. It was a great accomplishment for her to say her name and age in English. I treated her kindly. She was sweet. I knew she was in class to be with her daughter and to get some companionship.

Fast-forward 10 years. I got a call from a woman asking for me in Spanish. After wrestling with my memories I identified who was on the phone: “Mrs. Mari, how are you, so pleased to hear your voice” I said.  We started talking and bringing back the memories. And then there it was, a few words that made me tear up and choke up on the phone: “Mrs. Castillo, I truly liked being in your class. You saw me for who I truly was. You looked at me with eyes of love”. Wow, what a great testimony to the power of kind words: I will remember her kind words. It was pay-it forward time. “You look at me with eyes of love”

My words of encouragement to veteran and new teachers is that what you do is important and it matters. As school resumes this fall, please remember:

The Power of Kind Words

You never know the impact that your words will have on a student. Make a commitment to lift students up and see them for who they truly are. Many of our students lack affection, positive encouragement, a role model, or an adult that cares.

The Power of Listening

It is ok to take time to slow down to listen to students’ concerns and for teachers to take time to stop teaching content to teach life lessons. What you say at the right time in the right place can affect a student’s future.

The Power of Caring

Students may hardly remember what you taught but they will never forget how much you cared. Assume best intentions, teach with a giving, caring, and forgiving heart. Even in the worst days, when students turn your life upside down, give them the benefit of the doubt. Offer them a clean slate the next day. In this day and age of internet access, no one needs to sit in a classroom and interact with people. Knowledge is readily available. Use the power in you and the great opportunity you have of influencing a real person’s live.

The Power of Love

Look at students with eyes of love. They needed it. I attended a Better Together California Teachers Summit and the keynote speakers highlighted how teachers influenced their lives. I listened to a famous actress and singer as well as an astronaut. They are who they are today because along the way, a teacher said a kind word, listened, cared, and loved. This is the power in you. Teach… and transform a life.

Leadership: Trait or Skill?

My Definition of Leadership

I used to think about leaders as people who had been born with an incredible amount of good luck and charisma. Leadership to me seemed to be a lottery where only some fortunate ones were able to reach their dreams, become extremely successful and popular, and navigate through life effortlessly. I guess I had adopted the idea that leaders are born, not made. One of the most determining factors that has changed my perspective on leadership is not academic knowledge but rather personal experience. 

As I work in different educational settings, I have always felt attracted to work with strong, charismatic people who know who they are, who display and live by strong values, and who consistently demonstrate that they care about who I am as a person in addition to my abilities as a professional. The people that have changed my perspective on leadership have always been those who get to know me and the ones who have taken the time to invest in me by taking the risk of allowing a work environment where failure is a learning experience and a place to grow and praise for work well done is abundant.

Since I have noticed that there is a specific type of person I am always willing to work for, come on board and share visions with, I have come to the conclusion that a leader has the following attributes:

1) Honesty: It doesn't matter how hard a conversation has to be in order to promote growth and positive change. When it comes to establishing a parallel healthy relationship with a leader, I need to know that a person has my best interest in mind and a higher goal and purpose for the well being of the community. As Secretary of State Collin Powell stated in his video about leadership at Colgate University, "it is ok to hurt people's feelings". I don't mind hurt feelings when the greater good is at stake and I know that a leader has my best interest in mind. 

2) Positive & Enthusiastic  Attitude: A person with a great attitude and a positive outlook on life is always easy to work with and easy to listen to. It doesn't matter if the task at hand is challenging, a "let's do it" kind of person is always an inspiration for others to follow.

3) Ability to connect:  A person who encourages the heart encourages the way (Posner & Kouzes, The Leadership Change, 2012), and a leader who truly cares about their people earn respect from others and lead by relationships, not by commands. 

4)  Ability to Articulate and Share a Clear Vision and Mission: In order to enlist others to accomplish a common goal, a leader needs to be able to communicate and influence others to work in the same direction with passion and a sense of community rather than individual gain.

5) A Strong Work Ethic and Commitment to Personal and Community Values: I once read that a leader needs to watch his/her reputation as the most precious asset, which is what I compare to what Posner and Kouzes call "Model the Way" (Posner & Kouzes, The Leadership Change, 2012). A person that leads by example rather than leading by title always commands respect and has the ability to influence others.  

I have come to the conclusion that everyone can be a leader. Leadership is rather a set of acquired life skills rather that a natural predisposition obtained at birth.