i'm not just a teacher.

The early childhood teacher holds several roles.
The teacher must love all of her children and treat them as equal but
special individuals, thus she is a mother
The teacher must ask though provoking questions and encourage
exploration and investigation, thus she is a scientist.
The teacher must sing loud and proud, even if she can not carry a tune,
thus she is a musician.
The teacher must run, hop, jump, skip, and tumble with the children,
thus she is a gymnast.
The teacher must share accounts of far away lands and imaginary people,
thus she is a storyteller.
The teacher must bandage scraped knees and kiss "ouchies", thus she is a
nurse.
The teacher must give words of encouragement, louder and stronger than
anyone thought possible, thus she is a cheerleader.
The teacher must listen with open ears and an empathetic heart, thus she
is a friend.
The teacher does not entertain, dictate, police, referee, lecture,
demolish, or judge.
The teacher is a facilitator, enables, questioner, encourager,
organizer, nurturer, backer, advocator, and supporter.
The early childhood teacher holds several roles, each different in
action, but equal in importance.
To teach is to touch a life forever. And that is what the most
important role of the teacher is.

We were talking in class today about being teachers and all the roles we must fulfill. We are more than just teachers. We are every career made into one. I found this poem, and it reminded me of how special and important my future career is. I wanted to share it with my fellow future teachers to be an encouragment to them. Know that you are and will make a difference.