Today I went for a bike ride with a friend and had an interesting conversation. He's a school teacher - not just any school teacher, but an incredible and inspiring one. What makes him so special is that he CARES. Yes, in a day and age when we are so busy with our own personal lives, he truly cares for his students. He inspires them to be better then they are, challenges them to step up to the plate and helps them discover their true potential - however deep it may be buried. Often he is working with troubled kids who are known as the 'bad' kids, the kid all the other teachers want nothing to do with. He has his fair share of stories where he's helped a kid succeed and move on to do greater things. Listening to him talk is incredible - he is so passionate about teaching. He loves it, it's his calling. He loves making a difference with these kids and seeing them change - it's rewarding to be making a difference.
After talking for a while he says 'so, you know why these kids are so messed up, why they are bad, and in the rough crowd, or have low self esteem. they aren't bad kids. In fact I would never want to take anything out on these kids, but if I had 5 minutes with these kid's parents...' Why yes, I do know what you mean! What he does with kids is exactly what we do with adults.
He teaches and mentors, helps others get over their own personal baggage. This is what we do everyday. Teachers are Leaders and Leaders are Teachers - 24/7. He does it through the classroom and we do it through the gym. For someone like this guy, to be so passionate about what he does, and to be in the role he is, is incredible. Same goes for us. We have the capability to do incredible things. What can possible be more rewarding then helping others realize their greatness. Young or old - it's never too late. By us helping others when they are older it will ensure that none of their baggage is left to their children - and then teachers like my friend will have less 'problem cases' to deal with.
What frustrates him so much, and others who see it so obviously, is the environment that these kids are forced to live with. Kids don't have a choice where they sleep at night - and often don't even realize the affects. Many kids overcome this to do great things - but it takes someone like our teacher friend to mentor them and show them the way. To spend time with them - to CARE. I'm sure we've all had a teacher or two like this, a great teacher like our friend. Think of how you can look back now and realize how much of an influence they had on you. What if we could have people look back on us and realize how much of an influence we had on them. Think of how many lives have been challenged and changed through what we do - and not only directly - what about all those indirectly influenced in a positive manner. What if there were more teachers, coaches, trainers, mentors, etc etc like this - more who cared, and took a moment out of their own busy lives to work on the betterment of someone else's' life. We are all leaders, and we are all teachers. At any given moment in time there is someone looking up to us - why not give them a reason to remember you as someone who made a difference.
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