The Latest from VEA

Earlier this year, the National Education Association asked educators a simple question on its Facebook page: What part of your job do you find most satisfying? Responses came in from around the nation, and we thought we’d share a sampling of them. Enjoy!

• The relationships I have with students who are labeled “difficult.”
• As a teacher at a career and technical high school, I love helping students get their first exposure to working in the field I teach. I am always incredibly proud when a student gets a great job right out of high school.
• Allowing students to openly and honestly express themselves. Student voices are so key but often not amplified. They deserve to be heard and I’m often told they like being around me because I listen.
• Being part of the story of this place.
• “The children are now working as if I did not exist.”—Maria Montessori. That moment.
• I’m a general music teacher. The most satisfying sound is when I hear a student say, “I got it!” when learning something new on an instrument. Or when they sing in two parts for the first tie and look around at each other wide-eyed about what they just heard. Literal music to my ears.
• They think they can’t do things and when they do, the joy on their face is contagious.
• I love teaching my SPED students math that many believe they aren’t capable of understanding.
• Hanging with the kids and having meaningful and/or humorous conversations. Also knowing they learned something meaningful to them. Knowing I was able to help them.
• Making a lasting difference in the life of a child and their family.
• Being a translator. It’s nice to meet new people.
• The relationships I build with them that last. I’ll never tire of getting graduation announcements, wedding invites, baby shower invites, etc.
• When I see a former student who is a productive member of society, I know I had a part in that.
• When they realize they can read!!
• Those moments in class, no matter how chaotic things can seem and no matter how “naughty” they can be, when I stop and listen and realize through all the chaos…they’re learning, they’re building relationships, and they’re putting their trust in me to keep them safe and help them grow. And they know it. And they know I know it.
• Today a student called me after school to tell me the dentist pulled his tooth and the tooth fairy was coming. His mom said I was the first person he wanted to tell. That makes me smile.
• I love being their safe space.
• As a school counselor, the best part of my job was when I have been working with a child whose self-esteem is very low, and I help them find a reason to see their own value.
• When I use a QR code over the Kahoot QR code to Rick Roll my kids. Their reactions are totally wonderful. Getting teens to smile and laugh and learn is the best.
• When I stop doing it for them and they do it for themselves or even better, they do it to help a peer.
• When the weird teenage things turn into humans with hopes, dreams, and plans.
• Students’ eyes when they get excited.
• Students who just want to talk to me about anything and everything. It means I’ve gained their trust!
• Hugs from kids who graduated and come back to say thanks.
• Seeing a child take a skill they struggled to learn and teach it to another child.
• Knowing that your impact goes far beyond their school years.