Not All Your Students Have Hope … and When That Fact Hits You, You Realize Your Job Is Bigger than Any Lesson Plan or Standardized Test.

I did not always want to be a teacher. When I began college, my major was sociology. I changed my major to education halfway through my sophomore year after listening to a recording of the 1986 National Teacher of the Year, Guy Doud. In his talk, he shared some of the painful school experiences from his own childhood, as well as the powerful role that a few teachers played in encouraging him and supporting him through school. His poignant talk resonated with me on a visceral level, and I listened to it over and over. This singular tape recording inspired me to become a teacher. I wanted to make a difference too!