I want to be like Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers' mom shares a recent conversation she had with her son: (and I have no idea why my font won't change to what I want)...

"He said, 'My goals have changed, Mom,' "Darla Rodgers said." 'I don't really desire anymore to be the best quarterback in the NFL because I want to be remembered as one of the best men who played quarterback in the NFL.' " 

Seriously, can Wisconsin have a better QB representing our state? I must say that this year I, too, have changed my perspective on teaching. I don't want to be just another teacher, or a good teacher- I want my students to remember me as the one teacher who made a difference.

But how does one work on accomplishing a goal like this? Here's what I've come to conclude, which also exposes my past, current, and future goals:

1) STAY POSITIVE: Focus on what you CAN DO instead of on what you can't. Remind students of all they can do, and what they can do to be proud of themselves.

2) HELP ANYONE WHEN AN OPPORTUNITY PRESENTS ITSELF: Whether it's a fellow teacher; past, current, or possibly future student; any adult that works in the building; I will help if I can. A few minutes to help another  doesn't put me "out" at all.

3) COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS: This is the first year I contacted all my families within the first two days of school (except of course the families who had disconnected or no-longer-in-service numbers, as well as my two Spanish speaking families because I didn't want to risk embarrassment with my broken Spanish skills). However, I did (within a week) get through to all families - except my two Spanish speaking families, who might be a little upset with me, which will make me know for future reference that I can't let language barriers stop my communications home. But because of these immediate contacts, I feel so much more at ease talking with them about anything that might be happening at school.

4) SMILE AND LAUGH A LOT IN FRONT OF CHILDREN: Attitudes are contagious. I want mine to be one that's worth catching. It's also hard not to smile when someone else is.

5) BE HONEST AND SILLY WHILE EXPRESSING A SENSE OF URGENCY: This is the time to hook kids onto school and their future education. If one can't have fun while teaching, one should not be teaching. Unfortunately, I know some teachers who never seem to smile, and I know of a past family (probably not the only one) who doesn't like me as a teacher because I "just like to have fun." Well, sorry to that family, but if you can't have fun in elementary school, there's a problem.

6) LISTEN TO UPLIFTING MUSIC ON THE DRIVE IN TO WORK: How can you not want to make a difference after listening to 30+ minutes of encouraging music on the way to your job every day that makes you want to reach out to others and change the world, one person at a time?

7) APPRECIATE EVERY LIFE YOU ENCOUNTER: Everyone was given life for a reason. If we can't see past children's problems, home life, or horror stories, we just become another person who didn't make a difference.

So, yes, I want to be like Aaron Rodgers. I don't want to be the best NFL QB, but I do want to be one of the best teachers that my students will ever remember. Every moment, interaction, & conversation COUNT.