What is a Teacher really?

As e-learning ends and report cards come out, we parents sigh with relief, "WE DID IT!!!! We managed to come together, we worked with our child, we worked with their teacher(s), we worked with administration. We came together to make the last few months a true success. We all became teachers out of left field, and our appreciation grew even more.

So when a memory on Facebook popped up of my daughter and Camryn in 5th grade I had to share.

"Shawn, that's the day I absolutely knew you were the coolest teacher ever! BEST. FIELD TRIP. EVER!!!!"

I went on to explain my favorite part, "HAHAHA, did I really do that?" As innocent as a response, I thought 'he has no clue what he really means to my family. I cant imagine all the other families he has impacted, so I opened up.

"Yup! Ask Mk. I knew right then you were so darn awesome. To be honest at the beginning of the school year I thought ' WHO does he think he is?!?!?!' I had contacted you in regards to you being too hard on MK. You had soooo much faith in her, pretty much stating you 'got her'. From then I no longer worried. Except when she was entering 9th grade. (each year Mr. Collins went up a year in school, however wasn't moving up this time) My world shattered ! 'who's gonna take care of MK in school?' you're response was - you told me you would always have her back and all she had to do was call or email you.' I don't think you really grasp what you have done for her, and myself. There's no award or recognition on a truly good soul and human. If so, you would get it hands down."

Then my world went silent, I come to learn Mr. Collins had officially resigned from Yorkville Dist. 115. Selfishly I thought " oh thank God Mk graduated this year", other families, staff, and colleagues are going to be so upset. Looking back at all that Shawn has done, he has made enough of an impact in Yorkville, we can hold on to those tools he has given us.

As much as he will be missed, we must think of all the kids and families he will impact being the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director for Earlville. Shawn's next chapter will be something incredible. You deserve this!

Over the next few days my heart grew heavy. Teachers really have no idea how we as parents view them. So I had to ask- "What is a teachers role?" Naturally I asked Shawn's view. He explained-

" a teacher is more than an individual who shares his knowledge of certain academia. A teacher plans and differentiates engaging lessons, provides constructive feed back, evaluates and assesses hundreds of students, collects and inputs data, and manages IEP and 504's. A teacher also completes daily behavior reports, responds to student/parent/ and colleagues emails, helps fellow teachers, and attends committee meetings after school. A teacher coaches sports, sponsors clubs and activities, stresses about standardized testing, fixes chrome books and other classroom technology, and a teacher listens, supports and encourages his students every single day. A teacher is a special person who is often overlooked for all that they do day in and day out."

Curiosity grew. So I asked those close to me. First was my son.

Logan 13 - entering 8th grade. "Lo- what is a teachers role?" In all of his innocence he responds "to be a guardian"

MK 18- Studied Teaching Methods at IVVC, Going for her Masters in Speech and Language Pathology minoring in Special Needs Education this fall- " a teacher is someone who influences and guides you. Someone who is your school mom/dad. Someone who will not only take care of the student but their family as well. Someone who loves your child like their own.

Grace 17- studying Teaching methods at IVVC. "I think a teacher is someone who puts themselves aside to be there for kids that aren't even their own. To a child their teacher is not only the person who teaches them math or English, but who is always there for them, the person they can always count on,and a person who will always care about them. A good teacher will be a child's lifeline without even knowing it."

Mr. Collins, and teachers everywhere- Thank you for EVERYTHING you do. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, as we tend to keep our gratitude silent.

CONGRATULATIONS Mr. Collins. You will be missed.

Your role is simply- A Hero!!!