Because students like B. come to my office and are confused when they sit down and shakin their heads and looking at the floor. And when they leave, they high-five me. Seriously. High-five.
Because students like M. write an essay about how their mom was just diagnosed with lung cancer and they are terrified of losing a loved one, and I can write back how sorry I am and make them feel as if college is not some impersonal place where nobody cares.
Because when students like C. whose cell phone went off in class for the SECOND time in five weeks now has to bring me chocolate as payment for disrupting class, and I get to come off as the funny professor for at least half a second instead of the mean lady who is always making us work so hard.
Because when students like S. act like idiots I can rise to the challenge of how to reach this immature young person who has no clue about appropriate behavior and maybe I’ll get through to her and one day people will actually begin to like her.
Because students like L have figured out where to put the comma because I showed him how the rule actually makes sense. Yes, punctuation, usually, makes sense!
Because of students like C. who asks me what I’m teaching next semester so she can take another class from me.
YES. That’s why I teach. Well, and it pays the bills, too. 🙂
WRITING GRANDMA'S BOOK...finishing what she started 
Great post and great last line too 🙂
I wish I could make such a difference in my job as you do. Maybe I will with my writing.
I have the highest regard for teachers.
“has to bring me chocolate as payment for disrupting class”
Beats apples. You rock.
That’s nice. It’s those small little things your students will carry with them for years. Little ways they were changed because of you.
I think one of the main purposes of teaching is to impact lives… and you have accomplished exactly that. Kudos to you.
strugglingwriter: I think writing IS important!!
Kitty: yeh, who needs another apple — I live in New England. I got apples coming outta my ears this time of year!
hollytraveling: I sure hope the small things make a difference becasue sometimes that’s all that happens — small things! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by….
Arti: Yes, I guess that’s why I got into teaching in the first place, to make an impact. I just need to figure out now how to do that without spending all of my time working and getting burned out!
I love the smell of apples in the air.
Ah, well, when you put it that way… I guess I do too! 🙂
The guy didn’t show up in class in any case, so I got neither chocolate nor apples!
He didn’t give you chocolate?
Give him a big red F.
No, he DIDN’T! And he had the gall not to show up to class even! The nerve!!
And yesterday another student’s phone went off. We’ll see if she flouts authority and does not bring me my chocolate payment, too.
Cheeky youth! What IS the world coming to???
Good for you.