This one is about teacher behavior rather than student behavior. A colleague of mine this year decided to go for a change, and moved (voluntarily) from teaching 7th and 8th grade math at our site to teaching… SIXTH GRADE! ZOMG! Recess! The continual lining up! Covering all subjects! Feeling the love! Only 22 kids! But this is not about that. This is about a joke he thought all his new colleagues would find funny. I know I laughed quite heartily. But they took him seriously, when he spoke to them about…
Super Teacher.
I just came across the pics, as I was searching for something else, and well, I just had to share.
Every year, at his new school, the sixth grade classes take a trip to Yosemite for several days. There is evidently an outdoor school there that caters to trips like this, and kids from all over California come for the program. My friend “Joey” was one of two teachers from his school who went. I guess the program handled most of keeping the kids busy, so the teachers (there were a bunch from the California central valley too) had some time on their hands. Joey and his pal “Marty” had quite a time with a digital camera and some of the stuffed and mounted animals from the natural history displays the program had set up. While the kids (and counselors) were out on a hike, this pair of geniuses took some “interacting with nature” pics. This is just a sample:
Super Teacher at Play
But, oh it gets better. When they got back, my friend sent the following e-mail to the whole staff:
Dear Staff,
As you know, Marty and I just returned from camp yesterday. It was a wonderful experience for the kids, and I learned a lot. I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks and gratitude to Marty for his guidance this week at camp, and during the weeks prior to camp, with a few words of thanks and admiration.
Since day one, Marty has been a wonderful role model, mentor, and friend. He has assisted me in making my transition from the middle school a smooth one, explained procedures and programs, and has guided me through countless EL and resource lessons to better serve our clientele. My own personal SRI scores have increased, and I’m getting better Dibble scores now. Thanks Marty, for assessing me on the bus ride home.
I was literally blown away with the dedication and effort Marty put forth this past week at camp. He made an impact on every one of our students, and students from additional participating schools. He was supportive of class counselors and naturalists, even going as far as picking his own camp name this year, “Helen.” (editor’s note: When Marty used Helen as his camp name, it was supposed to be something like Windrider or Lynx or Cave Bear.) When the principal of the outdoor school needed answers or advice, he found Marty, who was always cooperative and willing to help.
However, it wasn’t until Wednesday when I truly realized Marty’s true level of dedication to our distinguished profession. Words cannot summarize his efforts, but a picture tells a thousand words. I have attached a few photos of Marty, in action, going that extra mile in the name of education; continuing the fight against ignorance.
Please take a moment to view the pictures. I encourage all of you to follow Marty’s lead. I know I will.
He attached the picture above, and this one:
Super Teacher Going that Extra Mile
I know. Greatest pics ever. Beauty e-mail that hits just the right tone of sincerity/sarcasm.
And nobody on the staff got it.
They all thought he was just being super complimentary to Marty. They thought it was great that the trip went so well, and that two colleagues could learn so much from each other. Many complimented him on how nice his e-mail was.
Nobody said a word about him reading to a raccoon.
(Thanks to JG.)
