Inspiring Teachers and the TEACH Documentary

This post about inspiring teachers and the TEACH documentary information has been sponsored by Linquia but all opinions expressed are my own.

When my son was little he was one of those “What happens if I do THIS?” kindof kids. He was a bit of a loner, preferring to be by himself, daydreaming and poking at things with sticks rather than playing in a large group of kids.

He preferred crafts and games that allowed for freedom of thought rather than following strict rules or coloring within the lines. Little did I know at the time that these are all characteristics that are common in gifted children. When he entered into first grade we discovered an absolute gem of a teacher named Mrs. Murphy.

Mrs. Murphy was the perfect combination of loving caretaker and strict disciplinarian. She ran her classroom like a well-oiled machine with firm rules and loving guidance.

My son blossomed in that class and what really inspired him was the way she challenged her students to go above and beyond what was asked of them. She looked at what was expected of first graders and said…that isn’t quite enough.

My son was encouraged to explore ideas that interested him and to think outside the box. Mrs. Murphy saw something in him that told her he needed more of a challenge and she recommended he get tested for acceptance into the school’s gifted program.

His acceptance into this program has opened up so many new experiences and opportunities over the past 7 years. He learned MORE than he would have in a regular classroom but even more important was that he learned to think a different way.

To realize that problems can be solved a number of ways if we are just persistent in our efforts and come at it from a different angle. As an 8th grader in middle school this year, he is taking 3 classes that qualify for high school credit (provided he does well…fingers crossed on that one!).

He is still a challenging kid, despite the gifted classes he is in. This is the kid who gave himself a wedgie at the age of 9 just to see what it felt like. He has the attention span of a gnat.

He gets distracted going to get his shoes on in the morning and I find him in his room reading a book when we should be walking out the door.

I frequently wonder how Mrs. Murphy survived a year of my son without going completely grey but I am thankful that she did because 2 years later I sent her my daughter, who was also placed in the gifted program.

I thank God every day that my children had Mrs. Murphy as their teacher when they were young. She taught them that they should always strive to be MORE than what people expect them to be. Without inspiring teachers like Mrs. Murphy, learning becomes a chore instead of a gift.

Success Starts with Inspiring Teachers

Did you have a teacher in your life that inspired you as a child? Did your children have a special teacher when they were little that helped guide them to be the person they are today?

Did you know that it is estimated that within the next ten years, 65% of America’s teachers will retire? That is a staggering number of teachers who will no longer be available to inspire future generations of children.

 

TEACH follows four dedicated teachers from different schools across the country over the course of one school year. It gives viewers a window into the challenges, demands and rewards of teaching, with the purpose of elevating and promoting the profession, as well as engaging new teachers and supporting current teachers.

We see that for the best teachers, it’s not just a job but a mission. TEACH, Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim’s third documentary film about education in America asks the question: What Does It Take to Be A Great Teacher Today?

As intense as it is emotional, this year in the life of four public-school teachers illustrates how tenacity, passion and a belief in innovation drive these educators as they navigate the daily ups and downs of the 2012-2013 school year.

These educators use conventional and unconventional methods and do whatever it takes to overcome obstacles and strive for success.

Find out how you can help play a role in keeping public education strong, vibrant and innovative by heading to the Take Part TEACH Website.

A two hour special television event presented by Participant Media, “TEACH” is set to debut on the CBS Television Network on September 6th at 8:00 pm ET/PT.

“TEACH” will also air on the new network, Pivot  on Wednesday, September 18th at 8PM ET/PT.

Disclaimer: Thanks to Participant Media for sponsoring this post and for the opportunity to acknowledge the importance of inspiring teachers in our children’s lives.