Today my students made me cry! Ok, so I didn't really let them see me cry but I totally got teary eyed for a moment. Luckily they couldn't see because the lights were out and they were all watching the thoughtful music video that they had made for me!
This semester was my first semester teaching at Dixie State College and although it has been a lot of work and sometimes I questioned why I was doing it, it has overall been a Fantastic experience. Staying up late grading and preparing has been rough but seeing my students success and passion has been so rewarding! Not only have they improved tremendously in their ASL they have also developed a real awareness and appreciation for Deaf Culture. One of my students himself is deaf. He is in his early twenties and just became deaf a year and a half ago. He is an inspiration to me as he has been faced with unreal challenges and had to redefine himself and his future. At the beginning of the semester he almost seemed embarrassed to be deaf and sat quietly in the corner. The transformation of his confidence and discovery of self, his new incredible language and ability to succeed in both the hearing and deaf world is remarkable. His precious little daughter is also embracing the language and even came to visit our class one day. He excitedly told me the other day that he has changed his major and is preparing to get his degree so that he can teach English to Deaf Students! This is just one of the exciting moments I've been able to witness as a teacher. Four other students expressed their love of our class and the motivation it has given them to transfer to UVU up north where they will be pursuing Deaf Studies and Interpreting degrees. I share their passion for ASL and the Deaf, "Hello, that's why I'm teaching!"
“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.” This lovely Chinese Proverb has been a goal of mine while I teach and then today I got a really nice email from a student with this quote:
“Teachers teach more by what they are than by what they say.”
So I guess with life so crazy lately the Lord must have known I needed a "pick-me-up!" I have just had so many great moments and then today it was all topped off when my student Lorin said he needed a few minutes in front of the class. He then pulls something up on the computer and tells me that the class would like to thank me for everything this semester and that they love me! It was so cute and they even put it on You Tube so that they could all enjoy it. Really I think they just wanted to watch it again and again to laugh at how goofy I look in some of the footage! If you watch it you have to promise not to make fun of me! I died laughing! Go to You Tube and type in: Cassie Riding ASL that should pull it up or here is the web link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeezixxyBc4
I am thankful for thoughtful students and this silly music video that I have to look back at when I have a day that I feel like a lousy teacher.
