It has been almost four years now that I have been at BOCES and teaching. As I reflect back, the main feelings that come to mind are gratitude, awe, and happiness. As I said in the beginning, I never thought I would be teaching.. nurses teach, we teach our patients every shift, all the time, but to come into a classroom and have a platform and a part in shaping the future of the world really brings me to those above feelings. I am thankful to be part of it, to use my many years of education and experience to guide the youth of today into some of the most beautiful, rewarding, heartbreaking, and fulfilling careers ever is just an honor and a privilege for me.
What I truly enjoy most about teaching is the connection with the student. We see our students 5 days a week for hours at a time. We hear about the happy times, the sad times, personal problems. I feel the more you know a student of course the better you can relate, guide and educate. When my student trusts me and enjoys my classroom, that is when the real learning begins. It makes it a safe and secure environment for everyone.
Going on our rotations whether it be to the hospital or the nursing home, it reminds me of when my own children were very little and you see the world through their brand new eyes. That is what it is like when I meet my student up on the maternity ward and they were just present for a birth, they just witnessed new life be brought into the world or when my nursing assistant student bathes and cares for an elderly patient in the most gentle and lovely way and they are so proud and you now know they have found their true life calling. This is a most wonderful place to be in.
Of course, then comes the mundane things like grading tests or setting up schedules and the past year, trying to figure out a whole new way of teaching, on camera and using a brand new online education program! Very challenging and daunting and frustrating at times for sure, but the rewards make up for it for sure.
I will always remember how kind and welcoming and enthusiastic these teenaged students were to me me when I first started, every single one of them overwhelmed me with their open hearts and kindness and maturity! These were not the high schoolers I had always heard others complain about. For that I am grateful and hopeful for the future of our world, especially healthcare which will need smart and strong warriors.
I cannot say what would make me a special teacher except for maybe the fact that I truly enjoy my students and making a difference in their lives. I have had students tell me that I am like a parent, they feel safe and feel that I am 'looking out" for them. My students have told me, "Mrs. Murphy, you're so confident at the hospital and you know everybody!" I think being a parent before becoming a teacher has helped me have that attitude of "looking out" for my student. As someone who has been out in the world, working in healthcare all over NYC, I can say that people get enough abuse and unkind treatment, if I can be that welcome, caring and trustworthy human being in a young persons life, then I gladly take it.
What I truly enjoy most about teaching is the connection with the student. We see our students 5 days a week for hours at a time. We hear about the happy times, the sad times, personal problems. I feel the more you know a student of course the better you can relate, guide and educate. When my student trusts me and enjoys my classroom, that is when the real learning begins. It makes it a safe and secure environment for everyone.
Going on our rotations whether it be to the hospital or the nursing home, it reminds me of when my own children were very little and you see the world through their brand new eyes. That is what it is like when I meet my student up on the maternity ward and they were just present for a birth, they just witnessed new life be brought into the world or when my nursing assistant student bathes and cares for an elderly patient in the most gentle and lovely way and they are so proud and you now know they have found their true life calling. This is a most wonderful place to be in.
Of course, then comes the mundane things like grading tests or setting up schedules and the past year, trying to figure out a whole new way of teaching, on camera and using a brand new online education program! Very challenging and daunting and frustrating at times for sure, but the rewards make up for it for sure.
I will always remember how kind and welcoming and enthusiastic these teenaged students were to me me when I first started, every single one of them overwhelmed me with their open hearts and kindness and maturity! These were not the high schoolers I had always heard others complain about. For that I am grateful and hopeful for the future of our world, especially healthcare which will need smart and strong warriors.
I cannot say what would make me a special teacher except for maybe the fact that I truly enjoy my students and making a difference in their lives. I have had students tell me that I am like a parent, they feel safe and feel that I am 'looking out" for them. My students have told me, "Mrs. Murphy, you're so confident at the hospital and you know everybody!" I think being a parent before becoming a teacher has helped me have that attitude of "looking out" for my student. As someone who has been out in the world, working in healthcare all over NYC, I can say that people get enough abuse and unkind treatment, if I can be that welcome, caring and trustworthy human being in a young persons life, then I gladly take it.