The Ripple Effect

Dear Teacher,

You never really know your impact on others. Sometimes you get to see some of how what you do effects people, but you will never really get to know all of the effects of how what you do changes and and impacts other people. Everything that you do for other people is like dropping a rock in a pond. The effect is immediate at the point where you drop it, but that energy is sent out as ripples and waves throughout the rest of the pond (or at least much further out than the area where the rock went).

This can be viewed in a positive or negative light, but you know I am going to talk about the positive!

Yesterday, I had the honor of seeing the immediate reaction of a note of encouragement to a colleague. It was awesome. Without knowing it, what was said were words that were needed at a timely moment for someone. I got a thank you, a hug, and was told the effects that my words had (and we seldom get to have that). This was quite awesome for me to be able to see the “drop in the pond.”

However, I will never get to see the effects of that splash. The encouragement and “energy” was passed from me to another teacher, but what happened afterwards? Was there a chain reaction that went from the teacher to students and other teachers? Was the energy then moved from them to others? And then to other people…then others…and others…and…well, you get the point.

We just do not know our true impact! This is one of the reasons our job can be draining. We know the potential for all of the little and big things that we do, but we do not always get to see how that potential plays out. We do not get a results report that shows all of our effects on the lives of students and other teachers. I tell you, though, your effects are big, Teacher! You are making an impact, and it stretches far down the line!

I am so talking to myself right now. I am facing the last day with students for the year. It is hard. I do not know all of the good that I have past on down to my students. I will miss them, but more than that I wish I knew if all my hard work will pay off in their lives. I can say that I know it was all worth it. The ripples will be felt, even if not by me.

So keep on doing all that you do, Teacher! No matter what is going on in your life, put on that positive face. Smile. Say thank-yous. Do something awesome for someone else. Love on your students. Be hopelessly hopeful. As a friend of mine says, “Give hugs when necessary.” Be your normal awesome to your students and fellow teachers. And keep on doing all of the little and big things you always do. You never know what these things are doing for others, but always know that you are making a difference!

For instance, I do not know if you are getting tired of me saying this or not, but you are awesome! You are believed in! You are affecting me and others in ways you just do not and will not know. Keep on teaching, Teacher!

Love, Teacher

PS…Sorry for all of the links today, I am trying out something new…a way to weave in older messages that newer readers may have missed. Hey, maybe you needed some reminders of things said here before, anyway. I know I do! 🙂

For more hope and encouragement: @DearTeacherLT (Twitter) and Dear Teacher/Love Teacher Facebook Page.