Last night, I logged in to ChatGPT to see what they’d come up with for the “Jason” superhero. To move ahead in the process, I was asked to share the key elements that define who I am as a teacher. More specifically, what is my “Super Power”? A lot ran through my head. Was it the ability to help kids set strong goals? My focus on habits as a means of personal development? My insistence on looking at problems with a growth mindset? All of these differing descriptors kept bringing me back to the core element – I have the capacity to help everyone learn.
What every kid needs to reach their academic potential and figure out how to learn is so individual. As a teacher, I’ve found it’s my responsibility to get to know each student in my care.
I build rapport, learn interests, and remain mindful of obstacles to comprehension and success.
Through this process of relationship building, I have found success in engaging all sorts of kids with their education in meaningful ways that they may not have previously experienced.
So, what is a teacher? A teacher is a mentor, a coach, a cheerleader, and a guide. A teacher is an invaluable part of our society that is often overlooked. Like mild-mannered Clark Kent, the effective teacher holds superpowers that go unrecognized and underappreciated. On the whole, they are underpaid for what they offer. Just like Clark Kent, their compensation comes in the dharmic form of knowing that their efforts have made the world a better place. So if you have a teacher in your life who has made your world a better place, take this moment to reach out and let them know you are thankful. You’ll have a positive impact on their day far beyond anything you’d likely realize.