How do you feel about this quote?

Question

"Teaching is the greatest act of optimism." -- Colleen Wilcox

Answer 1

I agree completely--though I would change it to "teaching WELL". Teaching well requires that you begin with the firm belief that ALL of your students are capable of greatness. . Teaching well means helping children overcome the obstacles in their lives that get in the way of them succeeding, and helping them see how amazing they are.

Teachers have to help children thrive even as the children deal with violence, poverty, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, low self-esteem, adolescent drama, death, divorce, and hunger. Every year, we begin the year looking at a sea of faces so full of potential it's almost scary.

Every year, we see our students fall down and get hurt by the tough parts of their lives, and we try our best to help them back up or at least push through. You can't help a child get back on his or her feet if you don't believe that they are capable of standing tall in spite of the the things that keep them down.

We teach literature to children with reading skills years below grade level. We teach algebra to children who still struggle to multiply. We teach government to children who's families are the most hurt by our system. To do this year after year in the face of such great obstacles, requires in inexhaustible well of optimism.

God knows there are terrible and mediocre teachers out there. But, the good ones have reserve stores of optimism that allow them to believe firmly that their children are amazing and wonderful and will reach their dreams--despite the fact that we see so many of our students fall before the pressures they face.

Answer 2

A person who really wants to be a teacher feels totally optimistic about what he/she will be able to achieve in the classroom. At the beginning of the school year you can see them bubbling through the corridors, walking on air, talking about how excited they are, cutting out construction paper letters for their bulletin boards, and telling everyone they see about their great ideas for their classrooms. They have this optimism despite all the negative news about the state of education and all advice to the contrary from their friends. They are a delight to be around (until they start getting on your nerves, of course).

Anyone who is still optimistic after hearing all the negatives is performing the greatest act of optimism. Many remain optimistic and keep the bubbles throughout their teaching careers because they see the positives. Many lose their optimistic outlook and fizzle out quickly because they are overwhelmed by the negatives.

Answer 3

Well, I'm a teacher so I can say that depends of a person, of teacher's personality. You really have to adore this job because only then you are able to give the best and to be optimistic in each situation. Anyways, I think if you once accept this profession it is your duty to be optimistic, to encourage kids, to give them solution to every problem even if you think that there is no problem at all. You have to leave your own problems behind, never enter the classroom without a smile!

Answer 4

It deals with the belief that is primarily set up with this No Child Left Behind. All students could work at the same ability level (HA!).

Answer 5

for every student in a teachers class room that teacher is optimistic that ''all'' her students will do well..if a teacher enters a class room with a defeatist attitude then its bad for the students and they pick up in this...

Answer 6

It sounds condescending... To say that teaching is optimistic... to me... means that it's hopeless. That... It's a nice thought, but it's not going to go anywhere... I don't like it.

Answer 7

Smells like a breath of fresh air. Thanks for sharing

Answer 8

ummm.. sorry but i dnt really get it but i do wanna answer you...=)