putting things in perspective...

"I teach students". I remember my professor in Grad school, saying that anytime anyone asked her what she taught she would always respond with "I teach students". It wasn't until this week that I fully understood what she meant by the statement. Earlier in the week, I found out that a co worker had been saying less than flattering things about me to my boss. Since this is my first year teaching, I chose to play this situation strategically rather than showing my ass and confronting her bitchassness (that's what they want you to do). So I spoke to her in private and pretended I didn't know that she had been talking about me behind my back. Though I have come to expect this type of behavior from "those" people, the situation did leave me a bit distraught. But something put it all into perspective. A few days later, a student revealed some personal information to me relating to their family life. During the conversation this student broke into tears and since I experienced a similar family situation I was there to lend support. That's when I realized that the drama from earlier in the week was meaningless. I am teaching students. The subject matter is secondary. It is my job and responsibility to mentor, instruct and help my students understand life. I can't and I will not let frivolous office drama stop me from reaching students. So a week that began with a stressful and potentially explosion situation ended with me seeing the big picture. "I teach students".