I'm a new dad. In March, my wife gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, and our lives have changed forever. Like many new fathers, I felt uncertainty about the new responsibility and roles. How hard is it to change diapers many times throughout the day? Will it feel like I'm babysitting 24/7? How will our baby affect our marriage? Do I have what it takes? Will I have the patience? How will I respond to interrupted sleep?
After almost four months of daddy experience, I love it. Who knew such a little baby could generate such energy and joy?
Having a child has changed how I teach. I have a sudden empathy for parents and their perspective. While I've always respected their viewpoint, I'm putting myself into their shoes even more. I'm asking myself how I would respond to me as my child's teacher.
While this has not affected my instructional practices, it helps shape my communication practices and vision for the future. I now see my students not just as a student who is there to learn from me, but also as a someone's child who is entrusted into my care.
I have always felt the weight of responsibility and opportunity we have as educators: parents trust us with their most precious possessions, and we spend more time with their children then most of them can! May we look at each student as a unique individual with his or her own talents, skills, interests, traditions, and backgrounds. Then, let's teach 'em with all we've got!
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