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Ordinary Heroes

7/7/2020

3 Comments

 
Each year that passes, I think of them. That class. The one that left a permanent mark. It was a year that changed me. It may have been a year that changed all of us. When I think back on that class, I’m reminded of all that was good and all that was imperfect. We took all that we knew and all that we didn’t know and became explorers, daring into the unknown to learn more.

That class can easily become ideal in my memory, but it was not. No class is perfect. They were ordinary kids and I was their ordinary teacher. What we had was the opportunity to learn beyond the walls of the classroom and the courage to step outside the box to become something different. It began with an adventure in writing and evolved into a community of inspired learners.

Before they went off to the 5th grade, I wrote a poem. It is a poem inspired by the students who showed me what is possible in a classroom. Students like these come to us each year. Each year there is possibility. Learning is a journey and I am grateful to have traveled a journey with this class.

Today, I took the poem that I dedicated to my students years ago and revised it. It is a reminder to me what is possible in a classroom where ordinary students become an ordinary teacher’s heroes.
 
Ordinary Heroes
Sometimes ordinary people
in ordinary places
stand out
 
unafraid
to stand alone
they outshine
their ordinary places
 
Sometimes ordinary people
in ordinary places
learn to fly
 
unaffected
by ordinary walls
they inspire
far beyond possibility
 
Sometimes ordinary people
in ordinary places
are not ordinary at all

3 Comments
Katina Osth
7/8/2020 05:19:28 am

I absolutely love it! Talk about writing with soul!
The classes or kids that touch our hearts do leave an impression on us that lasts forever.
Glad you had that a experience!

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Jackie Higgins
7/8/2020 05:38:51 am

I love the line that each year there is possibility. I wonder if your students rose greater heights because they had a teacher that believed in their great potential. Sometimes all kids need is an adult who believes in them! Thanks for giving me a renewed mindset for next school year.

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Elisa Waingort link
7/10/2020 11:04:27 am

I love this post and your poem. Every year we have the privilege to make a difference as teachers. We don't always use it for a variety of reasons, but when we do it is pure magic!

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