Chalk Talk: Pay it forward

This August marked the beginning of my fourteenth year of teaching. As always, I spent the last days of summer break thinking about how I wanted to approach the new year. I knew I wanted to find the first year teacher in me and bring back her energy, enthusiasm, and love for education. It’s not that I had lost those feelings, but they weren’t as present as I’d like.

I knew in order to do this I’d have to set some goals. I decided to focus on personal connections with kids and being organized. If my ducks are in a row, I’m very patient. I spent the teacher work time redoing my lessons, better structuring the learning objectives, assessments, etc. I instantly felt energy course through my veins. I pulled out old lesson folders and saw new ideas, new approaches. I found poetry, quick videos, and music to support my lessons. I was inspired. I then spent the first week of school working with my kids on a bio poem that allowed me the time to walk the room and talk with each student and learn about them. I heard about their bike rides, fishing trips, and travels Outside. By day three, I had learned all my students’ names. I was building the most fundamental bridge in a classroom, the relationship.

As I begin week four of the school year, I have to say, I feel good. I’m not overworked, even though I’m constantly lesson planning and redoing units to make them more relevant, interesting, and rigorous. I’m calm when dealing with misbehaviors. I have yet to be frustrated or exhausted. In fact, I love being a teacher. I look forward to each day. I’m a veteran teacher with a first year teacher’s optimism.

I know my work, my attitude, and my consistent dedication to this profession matters. I believe, 100%, that my attitude and willingness to laugh with my kids and go the extra mile to help kids connect with content matters. I believe this because of words recently said to me at the Pat Benatar concert. Yes, a concert.

I’m sitting, well, jamming to my favorite 80’s female rock star when the guitar player begins throwing guitar picks. Of course, I want one but none come my way. I admit that my dancing and singing was a little enthusiastic. It didn’t take much for the people around me to realize how much I love, love, love this performer. Two minutes into the next song, I feel a light tap on my shoulder. A young tween is giving me his pick. He said he thought I would like it. I was floored. I made eye contact with his father, hoping this is okay; the man mouths, with a genuinely happy smile on his face, “Pay it Forward.”

Suddenly the music fades and I see the results of my patience and willingness. I see why I will reach inside and find my love for teaching every single day, every single year. I suddenly see the overwhelming number of kids who have gone out of their way to say hi to me at the fair. I remember the multitude of hugs and smiles I received from past and present students. Over the course of my five trips to the fair, I saw more kids than I can count. I was hugged, talked to, and greeted with real enthusiasm. I heard from past students how much they loved my class and they still remember assignments we did. I continually heard, “You were my favorite teacher.” I don’t share this to toot my own horn. I share because I realize the true impact and importance of being a positive force in a kid’s day.

My job is to pay it forward through good work and care. Kids carry with them, into the future, my attention, my listening ear, my willingness to help when days were hard, and my commitment to their education and betterment. It’s paid forward in ways I can’t always see, but nonetheless, matter.

So, I brought the pick to school. It’s a reminder of kindness and love. It will remind me to keep that fresh teacher feeling in the front of my heart. The pick will remind me to pay it forward.

Brandy J. Bishop teaches English, Leadership, and Student Government at Colony High School.