Impact: Part Three

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; 

courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

--Winston Churchill

Speak, but listen more. 

Remember that though kids listen to what we say,

our facial expressions with listening ears and hearts are valued more.

Impact: Part Three

People that my student admire...

Impact: Part Three

Luis (friend): Luis tells me to be strong in life.  He has taught me that you can go through times in your life that are rough and still stand back up.  Plus, he encourages me to stand up to people that are just “dream crushers”.

Uncle Robby: He means a lot to me because when I would go to family reunions I knew that he would be there and it was going to be fun.

Jake (step-brother): He showed me that it doesn’t take 50 years to become the manager of the Hawaiian Pepsi Company.  He has taught me humor, weirdness, and awesomeness.

Kyle (brother): I always get excited when he visits us on breaks.  He has always cheered me on and is still always fun to play with.

Nikki (cousin): Nikki calls me her twin sister and I feel the same.  She’s a volleyball coach and made me love to play too.

Uncle Caesar: He made everything better because he always acted wild and crazy, but also calm at the same time.  Also, my uncle always taught me to take risks.

Dad:  My dad means so much to me.  He’s the one who makes sure I have food on my plate, a warm bed to sleep in, and a roof over my head.  My dad always taught me to be respectful and do my best.

  

Dad: he pushes me to do stuff that I didn’t think that I could do.

Anthony (Older brother):  My mom met his dad when I was 2 and he was 3.  He shows me courage because he wasn’t supposed to get diabetes until 11 or 12 years old, but he got it and had to manage it at 7.

Ms. Moore (4th grade teacher):  She was the best teacher and we always had a good time together.  She gave me advice about things too.

My Dad:  My dad is my rock, the person I know can cheer me up when I’m down.  He taught me to see the brighter side of things and to not hang my head.  Without him I would be lost.

Aunt Carina: She means a lot to me.  She has 7 kids and is tough and strong.  She impacts me by reminding me that whatever happens to you, tough it out, fight through, and think the best of things.

My Dad:  My dad has taught me that family comes first and that nothing has to drag you down.

Ashlynne:  She means a lot to me because she was the only one who didn’t abandon me for my “mean” exterior.  She taught me to laugh more, to not care what people thought, and to be awesome.

Levi (Step-dad):  Whenever we’re going to the beach or camping, Levi always finds a way to make it way more fun.  For example, he will make baskets from long grass, or something.  He has impacted my life by always being able to make me laugh.

 

Grandpa Richard:  My grandpa to me meant that we were going to have a fun time.  He also taught me that anything is possible.

Sister:  She means everything to me…yeah, we fight, but without her I’d be clueless.  She taught me how to play soccer.  We would play in the backyard, and she’d teach me new tricks.  Someday I want to be just like her.

Mr. Camp:  If he was not teaching and there was a sub, I would be sad.  If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t know how to read.

Mrs. Elliot (2nd grade teacher):  My teacher means challenges…for when I went to school she was always there giving me a new challenge.  She has impacted my life greatly!  She was the reason I now LOVE math and reading.  I succeed because of her.

Impact: Part Two

 "If you think you're too small to have an impact, 

try going to bed with a mosquito."

Anita Roddick 

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/impact.html#jdsbFaDudmLrzrua.99

"Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, 

and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness."

Harold Kushner 

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/impact.html#jdsbFaDudmLrzrua.99

Here is another set of response from my students when I asked them who in their life has left a lasting impact on them. I love that the first one doesn't even have a name to go with it...a good reminder that we all can impact, even with strangers.

Lady at the Barn:  She is someone that I only met once, but she taught me how to be brave.

Mrs. Hiser:  She was my teacher.  She helped me get to where I am today and was very understanding.

Uncle Andy: He has a way of making me smile when I get mad or sad.  When I think about him, I remember when we used to go play soccer together.

Linda: She is really supportive.  She is kind of like a second mom to me and has influenced my life by always being there.

Mom:  Even though she has 3 kids, she always takes time for me.  My dad is always working, but she is the one that takes care of us each day.

Mom: My mom means the world to me, because she makes my day better and I can always trust her! She’s the best mom.  My mom impacted my life when I was just a baby.  She was a single mom, but took care of me and didn’t give up.

Wes (family friend):  We met at basketball tryouts where he came up to me and said, “Have fun and do the best you can.”  He has been my coach for two years now and I hope he will be for much longer too.

Dione (family friend): She is hilarious, respectful, sweet, kind, always playful and a caring goofball.  She has shown me that even though we’re not blood related, that doesn’t mean you love or care about that person any less.

Mom: She has taught me that no matter what, you can always forgive someone.

Dad: He has changed me into a good ball player with sports.  Plus he’s nice, supportive, generous, and hilarious.

Mom: She has pushed me to be the best I can in everything that I do.

Grandma Elena: She means everything to me and is like a mother to me.  Whenever she goes somewhere, I go with her…I love that.

Kennedy (friend):  I can tell her anything and trust her with it all.

Kaitlyn (friend):  She’s very funny, fun, and she brings joy into my life.  Plus, she is always there for me.

Poppy (grandpa):  He’s fun and gives a lot of time to me, my cousins, and other syblings.  He impacts me by the way he just gives his time to watch us so that we can have fun.  And I respect that very much.

Kenneth (best friend): Kenneth means a lot to me.  He’s always fun, willing to play games, and hangout.  I wouldn’t be me if I never met Kenneth and I wouldn’t have the imagination that I have if I had never met him.

Mom:  She is a busy, but inspiring artist and a great cook.  She’s supported my talents and hobbies more than I could ask for; she acknowledges my talents.

Lori (aunt):  My Aunt Lori influenced me by making me feel better about myself. She makes me laugh and tells me stories about when she was my age.

Grandpa (great-grandpa): He was a prisoner of war, but is cheerful most of the time.  He supports me by helping me with my homework and encouraging me to work hard to achieve my future goals.

Jordin (friend):  She’s funny.  Usually I’m a downer, but when I visit her I’m actually quite fun to be around.

Ted (brother):  My brother is my role model.  He’s the type of person I go to when I’m feeling down.  He’s impacted my life by showing me how strong I am and that I’m capable of doing anything for my future.

Uncle Ken:  he taught me to understand that everything has a purpose and a reason.

Dad:  My dad means the whole universe to me because he encourages me, understands me, and loves me a lot.  He’s taught me how to be a good persona and play sports.  I would not be the person I am today without my dad.

Daisy (cat):  Daisy is a kind soul. She taught me to respect others, just by her quiet self and elegance.  She’s been with me ever since I was born, and growing up she is one of my best friends.  She has taught me patience, kindness, and showed me how smart animals can be.

(I can definitely relate to that.  Animals are the purest souls…why to some treat them as nothing?)

Tia Maureen (aunt): She has always been around for me. She always know how to make me smile.  My Tia tells me that I can do anything, that she knows I’m growing up to smart, beautiful woman, who will achieve amazing things.

(I think I need a Tia Maureen in my life.  How about you?)

Impact: Part One

Impact.

It’s difficult to know what kind of impact we have on the people around us.

Well, sometimes it’s easy because they react in laughter
or tears or love…

But that’s not the impact I’m thinking about today.

I’m thinking about the lasting impact.

The impact that makes me think of people in my own life
and smile at the memory of their smile
or laughter
or feeling of unconditional love. 
Most of the time it’s not one memory that floods my mind,
but instead it’s an overall feeling that I get at the very mention of their name.
I love that.

So I asked my students who in their life
had a lasting impact in their life...

This is what they wrote.

My dad:  He’s always telling me to follow my dreams and he helps me to do that every step of the way.

Jessica (Cousin): She taught me how to take care of other people especially family...To always look up and never be sad.

My dad: Made me more brave and adventurous.

Grandma C: She taught me that hard work makes you stronger and keeps your healthy.

Papa (Grandpa): He took me everywhere he went and taught me how to be happy all of the time.

My dad: Makes sure I make the right choices instead of bad so I can stay safe.

My dad:  He is my life, and he means the world to me.  My dad has taught me to be happy even if you have a horrible day.  You wake up and choose to be upset, your day is going to be bad.  You have a choice to be happy of mad.

Grandpa Ken:  He has impacted my life for a long time.   By teaching me that no matter what to believe in myself.  And how someone’s bad day can always change with a simple, “How are you?” and a smile.

Ashley (Cousin): I want to be able to be as confident in life as she is.  She has impacted my life by always being there for me.

Debby (Sister): They always show up.  My sister took care of me when my dad was going through problems with my mom.

Great-Grandma Shirley: She is sweet, funny, and happy. My grandma takes care of me when I’m sick and teaches me things.

My mom:  My mom is my #1 person that I talk to and she’ll always be my family.

Mom:  She is always there for people.

My dad (Jason):  He taught me to work hard and never give up, live life to the fullest because one day you won’t be able to.  He has impacted everything I do, I d o it for him.  He’s my inspiration and before this (her dad recently passed) I didn't really have one.

Mom:  She has taught me to be kind and respectful to others and that there is always a bright side to things.

Grandpa Danny:  He is what I want to be…a great cook, strong, smart guy that can do anything.

Uncle Ruben and Aunt Martha:  They have impacted my life because when there are problems going on, they would try to find a better place for us to live. 

Dad: He is always there for me when I need him.  When I think of the word “Dad” I think of my hard-working dad! He has impacted my life because without him I wouldn't believe in myself or have courage.

Ms. Eliot (2^nd grade teacher): She told me what subjects I’m good at and how to be a long-distance runner.  She taught me how to find a pace when running a race.

Grandma Linda: My grandmother taught me the meaning of love, how to count, great manners, and even how to sit on a toilet without falling in!  Without my grandma and family, I am nothing, but with then I am EVERYTHING.

The Impact of Little Things

I've lost track of the years now.

But I continue to carry the note with me, wherever I go.

It's in my wallet.

It's just a piece of paper,

folded into a little bundle,

Given to me on the last day of school...years ago.

But to me it's so much more.

It's the reason that I wake up at 5:30 am, 

coach volleyball, 

basketball, 

and all the million things that teachers do everyday.

It's a reminder of impact.

Written years ago by one of my students...

I read it and cried...not because it was sad, no...

I cried because of it's kindness.

I cried because I had no idea of the impact I had.

I cried because I wish I had known...

See, this girl was quiet.

She wasn't the type of student who drew attention to herself 

or demanded the intense interaction that other students did.

She sat, did her work (mostly), and was sweet.

But I wish I had known.

I wish I had known that this was one of the first stable years 

where she stayed in just one school.

I wish that I would have drawn her into more discussions.

I wish that I had known more about her hopes and dreams.

But, man...she knew me.

She wrote about the stories I told, 

and about my stupid, yet surprisingly funny jokes.

Mostly, she just thanked me.

She thanked me for a great year and for being her favorite teacher.

See, I wish I had known.

But I do now.

Each year I read her note at the beginning of the year
to remind myself of the impact we have on our students.
Most of the time we have no idea...

I always tell my students that words are powerful,
so be careful with them.

They can break or build a person.








 

But her words build me up.

I might start off the year reading her note,
but it makes an appearance often,
especially on the really challenging days when I question everything about my job.

In those moments I take out her note...
all crumpled from years of use...

I read and remember.

I don't teach for money.

I don't teach for control.

I don't teach for the praise.

I teach for students like her.

Tomorrow as you move through the world,

Remember that you are seen...for the good and bad. 

Make it a day that your impact on the world will leave a good mark,

an impact worth writing about.

Thank you Savanna, for teaching me...again and again.

With Love,

Ms. Chambers