When you get up in the morning, before the
sun, stand in front of that mirror for the
nth time, what travels through your mind?

Are you feeling guilty that you didn't grade
every paper last night? Are you wondering
what you can do for that student that
doesn't seem reachable? Do you feel that
your significant other (or family) doesn't
understand what it means to spend that much
time in planning for one day? Do you wish
those negative teachers would retire before
you become one of them?

If you answer yes to any of these questions
(and there are a myriad others) then you are
a professional educator, with the emphasis
on professional. You care, and are an
influence on every one of those students,
teachers, parents, admisnistrators, gas
station attendants, sales clerks, cashiers,
and fast food workers.

Think. Remember all the times you meet
someone new. The instant they find out you
are a teacher, they change their posture and
their diction. Look at their face. Listen
to their voice.

The responsibility you carry with you is
great. The pressure to be great is somewhat
overwhelming. You take upon youself extra
duties. Is it for the extra percentage?
Sometimes. I have 10 extra duties outside
of my teaching. Why? To make a difference
in the lives of my students. I want them to
have the best education I can give them.

I challenge them to be their best. I make
them accountable. I make them think in
different ways. I provide a safe
environment for them. Do I succeed
everyday? No.

But if I give up on them, I give up on
myself.

Lawrence Vincent
-Head of English Department
-Class of 2002 Adivsor (Prom this year)
-Senior Class Play Director
-Vice-President of Engadine Education
Association
-MEA-PAC ALternate
-16-A Uniserv Coordinating Council Delegate
-Mentoring Project Mentee
-Goals 2000 Curriculum Development Project
-Poetry Elocution Director
-Husband
-Teacher

p.s. This is my 2nd year of teaching.

Lawrence Vincent, lavincen@hotmail.com,
9/27/00

This month's letters: