Special Teacher & Reflection

My first entry will be about my wonderful fifth grade teacher, Mr. Monahan. My family and I lived in San Diego for a short time and I was fortunate enough to have been placed in Mr. Monahan's class. Not only was he an excellent, caring teacher.. he was also a role model that I still remember today. Mr. Monahan had Multiple Sclerosis and had difficulty walking. He didn't let this slow him down as he was still outside playing basketball with us at recess and walking us all the way down to Baskin Robbins for ice cream on Fridays. This was a class reward for good behavior and working hard in school. When the teachers in CA threatened to go on strike, I overheard him telling my parents that he sure hoped it didn't happen because he was going to continue to teach his class- he was there for the kids- and he truly was.

A recent reflection would have been nearly one year ago when I packed up my classroom to move from Japan to the U.S. Although I had only been in my classroom for five years, it was very difficult to box everything up and say goodbye to my students, parents, and colleagues. These were my first five years of teaching and I had learned so much. From a frantic first year teacher, not even sure what questions to ask, to a fifth year teacher just understanding what it was all about but still working way too hard! My students taught me so much about the art of teaching and about myself. There were countless games, stories read, science experiments, birthday parties, laughs and tears, songs sung, and projects completed inside those walls. Before I handed over my key I stopped to sit a while and reflect upon the wonderful times and consider what I would do differently the next time I had a classroom. I know that I would like to slow down for a moment. The classroom was often a whirl-wind of activities and I never felt like we spent as much time sharing and studying topics in depth as we should have. There was constant pressure to keep up with the curriculum and it often felt rushed. I would not change my style of teaching as that is just who I am.. but I hope to stop and enjoy the moment more often when given my next chance.

Mr. Monahan was a teacher that knew the importance of making memorable school experiences. Yes, we worked hard in his class but he understood there needed to be a balance and even with his disability, he showed us all that you can do anything and have a good time doing it. He enjoyed teaching and it showed. He was happy to see us everyday and cared about us as individuals. I would love to be the teacher my students remember fondly, like Mr. Monahan.