I'm the Teacher Who Cared

I wrote this as a reply to a support group I am in, replying to someone who envied those who had not been traumatized in their childhood:

"For a long time in my life, I also envied those who did not have to go through trauma in their childhoods. My childhood was fraught with abuse that caused me trauma.

But then I was an elementary teacher, and observed and experienced lots of kids and how they interacted with their parents, over the 30 years that I taught. Some parents were great with their kids, most were just all right with their kids, and then there were the remainder who abused their kids.
I remember the song by Helen Reddy, "I am Woman", and there is a line she sings: "Yes, I am wise, but it's wisdom borne of pain. Yes, I've paid the price, but look at what I gained." So on an emotional level, I regret the trauma I underwent in my abused childhood. On a spiritual level, I am grateful that I overcame so much of the burden of my abuse, and taught myself how to truly love: myself, and others, with sincerity.
And because I underwent all the trauma and pain of my abuse, my recovery enabled me to be more emotionally present for my students, especially those who were as traumatized as I. Many of them remember me, even now that I am retired, as the one who connected and supported them when they were in need."

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