Things I Learned from Clinton

When I chose to be a teacher 13 years ago, like all new teachers, I worried so much about being able to make a difference and to have the ability to impact students in at least some small way. I quickly learned, however, that teachers are also impacted by our students. If we are open, we can learn from them as much as they can from us.

The journey to my current teaching job involved many factors, including major hurricanes and (very) minor success in the music industry. Regardless of how I got here, though, I soon realized that I had become part of a truly unique community. Within a couple of years, it was clear that the people here sincerely cared about each other and the families blended together to create a sort of cohesive unit that I never knew existed.

Then I met Clinton.

Clinton’s battle with cancer taught us all so much, and while I never had the opportunity to have him in my classroom, I personally will never forget the lessons we have all learned from him. Clinton showed tremendous strength over the past two years, and anyone who has ever met him will never forget his smile. His battle is now over, but his spirit will always be with us.

So many memories of Clinton will be a part of me forever, lessons taught from a student to a teacher. The way he ran the last leg of the relay race on Field Day, transforming a competition into a celebration. The real way to have a birthday party, in the school gym with people from all throughout the city in attendance, enjoying life. Or maybe just how great it is to have an ice cream at lunch time.

I am proud of the support shown by my new community. I am proud to be a part of a larger group of people who come together whenever the call comes to help someone in need. Most of all, I am proud of Clinton and his family for the lessons they helped us all learn.

As teachers, every child we meet is special, and if we try, we can learn from each of them. I thank Clinton for helping me remember this and for letting me be just a small part of his life. Like everyone who knew him, I am better because of it.


People also view

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *