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Professional Educators Network of Florida

Affordable, top-notch legal protection for educators without the partisan politics

August 11, 2018 By penfl

Seeking the Light in our Students

By Lindsey Bailey

“Education is not simply the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” –William Butler Yates

Twenty years ago, my tenth grade English teacher gave our class a writing assignment that has stayed with me to this day. At this point in my schooling career, there was little that had inspired or motivated me. But, this assignment was different and had sparked something in me. As I began forming a story, there was this feeling of excitement and intensity that I felt. I couldn’t wait to turn in my paper. But, much to my surprise, instead of a glowing review, my teacher asked if I had found this story on the internet and copied it.  Instead of accolades, he said he wouldn’t give me a grade at all since it couldn’t be proven that the words were my own. He disregarded the paper and in the process something deep within me was disregarded as well. I was completely deflated. The small flame that had ignited while writing was quickly snuffed out.

Fast forward several years, I was in a college, prerequisite English class. I turned in my first paper. I remember that the assignment had once again caused this excited feeling as I typed the words. I edited and reviewed each word with a passionate intensity I didn’t recognize in myself.  The light that had been buried beneath an insecure girl was once again flickering. This time, after turning in my paper, the professor took time and wrote some constructive, specific feedback along with a glowing review.  It wasn’t just a ‘good job’, but specific analysis that inspired me. This professor had seen the dim light. Paper after paper, my confidence grew. He had this uncanny ability to illuminate something that I didn’t even know existed.  He saw the light.  He intensified this light with his words and time.

Two very different scenarios show what a powerful role a teacher plays in a student’s life. One person was able to see a flickering light within me and intensify it, the other almost turned the light off completely. Teachers are in this unbelievable position to either see darkness and weakness or find light and strength in their students.  It is a powerful role. Looking for strengths even when the strengths don’t necessarily look like everyone else’s is an incredible opportunity.  It is a catalyst for change in the lives of our students. I am not talking about arbitrary compliments.  I’m talking about truly seeing a child and discovering the hidden light within each one.  The light could be buried under insecurities, anger from past failure or a rebellious attitude from a dysfunctional home life.  But, there is light and strength somewhere within that child.

The words a teacher speaks over a child stay long after they are uttered.  I remember graduating college and saying goodbye to my photography professor.  He looked straight into my eyes and with conviction, he said loud enough for an entire sidewalk of students passing by, ‘YOU ARE AN ARTIST”.  The words in and of themselves were nothing magical, but the power of a teacher who I looked up to speaking those words over me were long lasting.  Your words have the power to ignite life within each child.  Remember your amazing and unique role as a teacher. As a new school year begins, let it be a year where you seek and ignite the light within your students.

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Thank you is such a small word to show my appreciation

Thank you so much is such a small word to show my appreciation for what you have done for me this past year. You have carried me with your kindness, your endless words of wisdom, and guidance. I truly appreciate everything that you have done for me." ~ Debora Toni-Thomas
Professional Educators Network of Florida
2018-07-13T20:03:03+00:00
Thank you so much is such a small word to show my appreciation for what you have done for me this past year. You have carried me with your kindness, your endless words of wisdom, and guidance. I truly appreciate everything that you have done for me." ~ Debora Toni-Thomas
https://penfl.org/testimonials/thank-you-is-such-a-small-word-to-show-my-appreciation/

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2018-07-13T20:00:03+00:00
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~Patrick Stitz
Professional Educators Network of Florida
2018-07-13T19:56:50+00:00
“The nice thing about the organization is that you support teachers and don’t play politics. Your organization does things by the book and will fight for teachers. In dealing with this county, the organization stuck to their guns and showed support to me, and grinded out victory for me. “ ~Patrick Stitz
https://penfl.org/testimonials/you-support-teachers-and-dont-play-politics/

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"I never thought I would need PEN’s legal services. I had been teaching for 34 years and been nominated several times as Teacher of the Year. But in my 34th year of my teaching career, one of my ESE student’s parents requested that I let her son take a test as many times as it took for him to pass the test. When I explained to her that I could not do that, she began calling the school and sending emails to DOE telling them things that were not true about what I was doing to her son. I called PEN and within a few hours, I was speaking with an attorney and he listened to my situation and advised me on how to proceed. He stayed in contact with me until the issue was resolved. I am so thankful I filled out that PEN brochure that was in my school mailbox." - Polk County Educator
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"I never thought I would need PEN’s legal services. I had been teaching for 34 years and been nominated several times as Teacher of the Year. But in my 34th year of my teaching career, one of my ESE student’s parents requested that I let her son take a test as many times as it took for him to pass the test. When I explained to her that I could not do that, she began calling the school and sending emails to DOE telling them things that were not true about what I was doing to her son. I called PEN and within a few hours, I was speaking with an attorney and he listened to my situation and advised me on how to proceed. He stayed in contact with me until the issue was resolved. I am so thankful I filled out that PEN brochure that was in my school mailbox." - Polk County Educator
https://penfl.org/testimonials/called-pen-within-hours-speaking-attorney/

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Professional Educators Network of Florida
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Professional Educators Network of Florida (PEN) is a professional organization for teachers and support staff throughout the state of Florida. PEN offers liability protections, legal representation, professional development and networking opportunities for educators in the Sunshine State.
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