Diane Tillery

“Where love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.” John Ruskin

     For some people I think teaching is a job, but for the majority of us I think that teaching is a vocation….a calling of the highest order. I love teaching and the students I get to work with every year. It has been said that teaching is the profession which is responsible for all others, but even more incredible than that is the fact that teachers are able to have such an impact on the future by preparing today’s students for tomorrow’s challenges.

     I believe I am a successful teacher mainly because of one thing…my passion for education, my students, and the subject I teach. It is my goal every year to inspire my students to love reading and learning. Tommie Spear Middle School has one of the best faculties in the state, and I consider it a great privilege to be able to work with them.

     One thing I learned early in my career is that teachers can never just be teachers. Not only do I have the awesome responsibility of teaching my students how to read, write, and speak in Standard English (as opposed to text messaging), but I also must be a counselor, parent, disciplinarian, and friend. Along with teaching my students how to analyze the plot of a novel I often have to teach life skills as well, such as the importance of developing good hygiene habits, being a good friend, and taking responsibility for one’s actions. I love reading and I am glad I have the opportunity to help others learn to love it too. However, I know I have an even greater responsibility to help my students develop as individuals. The students I teach are far more important than the subject I teach.

     I tell my students my goal is not to have them leave my classroom spouting my beliefs but to have them learn to think for themselves and to know how to express their ideas and beliefs with confidence. I know that every April my students will be tested and I want them to be well-prepared. I still believe it is more important for them to learn how to learn and not necessarily what to think. We read a variety of literature in my class and have the opportunity to work both in groups and as individuals to develop our ideas. I try to make what I am teaching both relevant and meaningful to my students, and we try to have some fun while we are at it! 

     As teachers we never know how far our influence will reach. I hope that my students leave my classroom as better readers, but more importantly, I hope they leave my classroom as better people. I know that each year I change as a teacher as a result of my experiences, and I am thankful beyond words for that opportunity. Teaching is definitely a work of heart. Life in the classroom may not always be perfect, but I cannot think of anything I would rather be doing.