Image by @Lel4nd via Flickr
Love has many meanings. We tend to think of romantic love, especially at this time of year. However, it really means whatever you want it to. Romance, family, friends, people who touch our lives – that’s what love is about.
On Thursday, as I was dancing the chicken dance with 24 3rd graders at a Valentine’s Day party, I was overcome with such a strong feeling of love that I nearly cried. It was a silly moment, but one so full of beauty, I almost couldn’t stand it.
We teach, because we love.
As I was driving north yesterday, to see my best friends (who I love dearly), I listened to This American Life on NPR. The entire episode (part one of two) followed teachers, administrators, and students at Harper High School. Harper High School’s attendance area includes more than 15 gangs – and last year 29 current and former students from Harper were shot, and 8 of them died.
Listening to the staff talk about their students – listening to them talking to their students – you can tell that they are motivated by Love. Love with a capital L. They Love the students who drop out, they Love the students who have no choice but to join a gang. They Love the football players who worry about rival gang members on the team. They Love the student who accidentally shot his little brother.
These teachers work hard every day to help their students simply survive high school. Administrators often drive students to and from school, so they don’t walk through dangerous situations. Social workers meet with students and their parents on a regular basis. On a day after a gang-related shooting, some students are sent home for their safety – so they don’t have to walk home through rival gang territory at dismissal time.
Love.
As the Beatles say, it’s all you need.
Teacher, Becoming. 