The Power of Educators

By now you've probably realized that I'm going to talk about everything that impacts me in some way, forgive me, but I think all this stuff might help you, as well as provide some sort of therapy for me.
As you know, I work in the awesome world of Higher Education, I think I can blame this on my dad because he was always, ALWAYS pushing education down my throat (not literally).  So, after 20 something plus years, I ended up working in education, which I never really saw coming, but I'm glad it happened to me.  However, this post isn't really about how I got into education, it's more so about some of the teachers who played a role in my life, positive and negative.
Often times, ALL the time, I run into teachers who could give a damn about the future of their students, plus with this No Child Left Behind crap, their only goal is to get the child thru to the next grade level, where they will no longer be their responsibility.  Ain't that some shit?!  However, I can't really be mad at the educators for that part only because they have to abide by so many laws, guidelines and rules, that they literally just want to teach and go home.  That's all well and fine, but if you're a teacher, I would hope that you realize the role you play in a child's life, if you don't, then you should. 
Growing up my teachers were like local superstars to me, I looked up to these people, I would pretty much do anything they said, AND I was always trying to please them - well not always, but most of the time.  On the flip side, my teachers (the ones who cared), were always trying to teach me something; they were always trying to help me realize something and those things are what I remembered the most, those things, the way they handled me and spoke to me, those are the things I try to impart on the students I come into contact with everyday.
As educators I feel we should go ABOVE and BEYOND the call of duty when it comes to our students. WHY?  Because we've obviously gone and earned us an education, now it's time to give back.  We know what it took for us to succeed, some of us had to overcome many life obstacles to make it happen, but we were able to do it, so we can definitely be a help to these kids.  I did not know what type of kids I would be serving when I accepted my position, well, I knew that I would be working with high achieving students, but nobody told me that I would be working with kids who come from situations like I did growing up.  Once I meet those students, it's on, I have to MAKE them know that I care and that I want to help.  I find myself having to get real basic with them, trying to make them think about their futures.  I try to make them understand that what their life is now, it doesn't have to be forever.
Most of the teachers I come into contact with now could care less; some of them are even afraid of their students and still some don't want to help them because they may not like the parents or because of the color of their skin (isn't that a damn shame?).  But I see this and I take action, but it's not only me, I believe God has given me some tools and I put them to use and then I watch these kids blossom.  It's amazing.
I had some great teachers growing up.  Mrs. D. Bryant who was all up in yo face (smile).  Mrs. L. Jones who was old school and didn't take no ish.  Mrs. Chambers, who was never MY teacher, but she didn't care, she made sure you were on task when she saw you in the hall way.  Ms. Fletcher, my kindergarten teacher, she was awesome and she cared so much (she made a lasting impression on me).  Mrs. T. Friese, she was just like Mrs. Chambers, didn't take no ish and made sure that you learned the material.  Mrs. T. House, awesome lady, awesome teacher and kept it real with you.  Ms. Wilson, Mr. Arrington, Coach Bryant, Mr. H. Jones (this guy taught my dad), and the list goes on and on.  I had some teachers who only saw me as less than (academically), so they didn't waste anytime with me, they didn't invest in me, and had I not been so strong-willed that stuff would have deterred me, thank God I am who I am.  Unfortunately, I can't say the same about some of the students I see now.  The teachers don't give a damn, so the students don't give a damn and I can't say that I blame them.  What I can say is this, I use what I've been taught and I put it out there to my students, I'm an AGGRESSIVE advisor, I'm in YOUR (THEIR) face and I don't care about their feelings because I DO CARE about their future.
No, we don't get paid much, but don't let that stop you from going above and beyond.  Remember, your interactions with these students are like your investment into YOUR future.  Think and act wisely.