My Tribute to my Legacies

“Well the dawn was coming, Heard him ringing on my bell. He said, ``my name’s the teacher, That is what I call myself And I have a lesson That I must impart to you. It’s an old expression But I must insist it’s true. Jump up, look around, Find yourself some fun, No sense in sitting there hating everyone.”

--Ian Anderson, from “Teacher” from the album Living in The Past.


My pride is showing once in a while. The religious scholars say that Pride is one of the Seven Deadly Sins, but what a fun one. When I say, I am proud of something and a religious person says, “well, that’s one of the “Seven Deadly Sins,” I always want to say “the Bible also says that we should not judge people—so shut the %7^& up.” Of course I do not, I just roll my eyes.

I am proud of many things in my career, but the single greatest accomplishment in my opinion is training my student teachers. I am not lying.

Some folks have a student teacher and call it slave labor. Really. I have worked with people who hand their student teacher a grade book, a lesson plan book, and say “If you need me, I will be hiding in the lounge—oh and by the way, don’t need me.”

That, I have never done. I give all of them my simple rules of life—One: Emulate the best teacher you ever had and try to be a teacher that your favorite would respect. Two: remember the worst teacher you ever had (and we all had bad ones) and show them why you are so much better in your actions and your lessons. Three—try and do all those things you ever wanted to do in a class. Four—realize I will advise you, but you may make a mistake and I may let you so you learn. Five—at some point, if I do my job well, you will be pissed off at me—which is OK. Six—you must call me by my first name and think like a teacher, not a student. Take the word STUDENT out of your title. Seven—you have an A to lose.

Wow—seven—just like the deadly sins.

Every single one of my student teachers will tell you I say this—they have all basically listened to the same speech. I have been blessed with unique young people with awesome personalities and I am proud to say that they are my legacy. Students can be inspired, apprentice educators can inspire me. It is very cleansing. They also, each of them, have taught me something about myself—and for that, I thank them.

My first (I will give initials as to not offend) CHS was awesome. She brought in unique sources and wanted (actually WANTED) to work with lower tracked kids because that was where she would help. She was also intelligent enough to have the latest research methods and the latest trends in the social science fields. She taught me the role of education.

My second SB was extremely similar to me in sense of humor and accomplishments. She was clever and creative and popular with a “I may be small, but do not mess with me” attitude. It was among the best speeches I have ever heard when she laid down the law in a class. In reality, she cared about the kids and was willing to try anything. Plus, she had among the best sense of humor I had met—she is a fantastic person. She brought the classes a detailed analysis of the term “social sciences.” From her, I learned to explore relationships between the subjects.

My third PN, well, he had problems. He ended up selling cars, which probably helps education. He was just not right for the job. From him, I learned what NOT to do.

My fourth SH had an incredible mind for historical events and military history. He was fair and creative and shared his military experiences with the classes. He was a very positive person in the class and willing to work extra—even coaching baseball. I always felt a brotherhood of sorts with him. He was very intellectual and from him I learned how to think as a historian should.

My fifth, CS, was a kind young woman who was a bit shy at first. She had so many creative ideas and was willing to try anything. She was pleasant and positive with her students and came out of her shell while student teaching. I also cheered her on because she tried so hard to succeed. From her I learned creativity.

My sixth, AVS, was my psychologist of the group. She was excellent in her study of Psychology and Psychological events—which she used various levels of psychological theories and experiments and tests. She was gave me a fresh approach to teaching psychology. Most of my student teachers have some slight aversion to teaching Psychology, but she loved it.

My seventh, AM, was a well-rounded, highly intelligent, creative person who received many accolades when she graduated. I do not think there is a subject she would not excel in if she was determined to earn the high marks. She reminded me the most of myself when I was her age—well minus the honors and the intelligence—but you follow me on this one. We were very similar in perspective and personality and always had a laugh or a story to share. She was wise beyond her years and she was a fun person to be around. She taught me to be more accepting of people and keep my humor intact.

My eighth, EF, was a very intelligent and hard-working young woman who HAD to rely on self-reliance, as part of her experience was cut short of my influence/guidance during my surgery. She was shared with another teacher, but she eased my transition for my sub and was relied on to really carry the load. She ran my room for a few weeks and for that I will be eternally grateful. She aimed to please and knows that she did a great job for me and the district. She has taught me that self-confidence and self-preservation are truly attainable.

I am proud to say that all (even the car salesman taught for a year or so) aided the educational community. Minus the salesman, the others have all pursued careers in education, all maintain contact with me, and I am equally proud of all of them—and they are polite enough to respond to my corny newsletter email each Spring. I just consider it a bond and I want them all there when I retire in fifteen years.

To my legacies, to my partners in crime, and to the Robins of my Batman—this tribute is for you. They will become the favorite teachers in their districts, they will train student teachers in their careers, and they will maintain excellence in their classrooms. And they all will be successes—sometimes even in spite of my “idiosyncrasies.”

And I am confident each of them has a unique, “I was so pissed at him when he (finish the story here)” Sweetwood tale to tell. It was always for their own good—remember finding yourself occasionally means breaking from my influence. I respect and marvel at them all. Thanks ladies and gents, for being a part of my life, and for renewing my career. I could not be me without each of you.