The Christian EducatorA publication of North Valley Baptist Schools

I Am a Teacher

By Jim Carey

It is late May. It is graduation night for the Class of 2008. I will experience the night with mixed emotions.  I am happy for my seniors who have earned the rights of adulthood.  They have served their time; they have learned their lessons; they have earned the accolades of the night.  We have lived together five days a week, six hours a day, for four years now.  I have done my best, like an over-zealous camper, to pack everything I could into their personal bags.  I know I didn’t get everything in that I wanted to.  I know I could have used just a few more days, but they did received everything that God allowed me to give them.  I tried to teach them their academics, but more importantly, I tried to teach them life. I have been their teacher, counselor, and friend. I have taught them how to read, how to type, how to write. I have opened the doors of history, math, and science.  I have witnessed those magical moments when knowledge opens a brand new door, and their universe suddenly becomes so much bigger.  I have watched as God became bigger and more powerful to them as they saw a new truth exposed. I coached them to develop their weaknesses, not just their strengths.  I searched for their talents and tried to teach each one of them to get a taste of excellence at least once. I cheered at their sporting events, acted as a referee at their quarrels, and played doctor for more than one skinned elbow with a Popeye bandage.  I watched as some of them discovered talents and skills they will enjoy for a lifetime. I tried to help their parents understand them, and them to understand their parents. I helped some of them get their first job, others get that coveted drivers license.  We have prayed for their first car. I have helped a few to break the news to mom and dad that they had their first fender-bender. I have been to the hospital with some of them, been to the graveside too.  We prayed together, sorrowed together, hoped together, rejoiced together.  As they receive their diploma, I will say a sad good-bye.  We will always have a special friendship, but it will never be the same.  They will go on their ways across this great country of ours.  Some will become great leaders.  They will have their families.  They might even pass a lesson you taught them on to their own.  I will get to stand in the shadows and rejoice in their success.  They might come by and share a few moments when they can, but my time with them has come to an end. It is a little sad, and a little lonely to watch as that tassel is turned.  I will relish the moments we had together.  The sorrow doesn’t last long. Tomorrow morning I will wake early and start planning for the Class of 2009. There is so much to do. I cannot wait ‘til September!

Click here for the PDF version of this article.