Jane's Pearls

Jane, a teacher at my school ready to retire, taught me everything I now know about kindergarten. After thirty years, she has decided to write down her pearls of wisdom. Although every educator could benefit from this list, it is particularly useful to new teachers. Jane gave me permission to share this with the caveat that I'm to explain this is not a polished version.

So, here's Jane's gracious, unpolished Pearls.

1. Best wishes should be bestowed on those that stay behind in the trenches not those leaving the profession.
2. The man downtown signs your paycheck but the most important man (or woman) in the building is the custodian. He's the one you can call to clean the puke off the classroom floor and the pee from the toilet seat. Take a minute to put your chairs up on the table every day to make his/her life easier and return the favor.
3. If you're sitting in the room at 5:00PM or on Saturday, ask yourself, does what I'm doing this second have a significant impact on student learning? If the answer is not really, get your keys and leave.
4. Get organized. If you can't find it, you can't use it.
5. You are more likely to marry a millionaire then to get a pay raise from the legislature. Richly blessed and richly rewarded are not the same.
6. Don't waste your tears on day 180 for the kids you are promoting. They are your successes and your evidence you have accomplished what you were hired to do. Let your heart break for those that you could NOT get to grade level and vow to never let it happen again.
7. Anyone can take credit for teaching a bright kid. Only a true teacher can move the challenges.
8. Not matter what you heard you were not born a teacher. You have talent and potential but your license is a learner's permit. It entitles you to practice everyday. With luck and patience you may actually become the "real deal". And yes, expect it to take ten years.
9. Be real. Students develop a taste for excellence using your yardstick. Believe it or not, every piece of work is not a student's personal best. Acknowldege efforts with praises but reserve your raves as an opportunity to help them recognize their true potential and the "best of the best".
10. At the end of the day (or your own 30 year career), your future isn't what you are moving toward but what you are leaving behind. Make sure to make each day count.

I can't express how powerful this list is to me knowing it came from a respected educator and a true friend with a wealth of teaching experience. Jane is an amazing educator, and I'm sure retirement does not mean the end of her influence and impact on students.