Teaching With Love
As many of you know, I’ve become a recent “From the Heart” fanatic since discovering the podcast through a friend’s Instagram story a few weeks ago. It’s all I’ve been tuning in to as of late and, honestly, I have no shame. My husband thinks I’m a slight lunatic for screaming things like, “I LOVE YOGA GIRL SO MUCH” in the middle of washing the dishes or vacuuming the house. (In my defense, I’m LISTENING to her podcast when I’m doing those things).
It’s just crazy when words can overcome you in such a way that your whole body is just like, “YES. YOU GET ME. YOU KNOW MY INSIDES.”
(Just an FYI, if you’re new around here, “From the Heart” is a podcast run by Rachel Brathen – who grew a social media presence/following through her Instagram page. Her handle is @yoga_girl). And, if it isn’t already obvious, I love her. A lot.
The Love Part
In one of her last episodes, Rachel talks about how her love for yoga has changed with time. Initially, she was so focused on the backbends and inversions and all the challenging poses she could contort her body into. But, over time, she’s discovered it’s the “off-the-mat” stuff she loves. The sharing part of yoga. The “opening up your heart” part of yoga. She loves the raw and real and vulnerable part of yoga.
TheĀ love part of yoga.
Not only did this resonate so deeply within me because, hello, my body CANNOT backbend or do inversions. I’m lucky if I can even sit cross-legged for longer than a minute at a time. But, it struck a cord with me because it helped me realize that it is the exact same way I feel about teaching.
I didn’t become a teacher because I love grammar or Shakespeare (though I feel that I’m permanently obligated to point out when people are using the wrong kind of “your” or “there”). I’m not particularly fond of geometry. I could probably benefit from a writing teacher myself given that I am never able to stick to a topic sentence. Bullet points are my favorite invention.
It’s not the content that I care about. It’s never really been the content.
It’s always been the love.Ā
That’s what drew me to teaching. Because I love the kids. I love their complete innocence and wide-eyed curiosity.
I love the relationships we build over the course of the year. And the lessons that we learn through experiences in and out of the classroom (none of which have anything to do with the curriculum). I love the conversations we have during unstructured time about life and family and the latest video game craze. With each conversation we have, our relationship strengthens and our love is reinforced.
It’s the best part about teaching.
Sure, those “lightbulb moments” are pretty great.
But nothing beats those moments where a child comes bursting into your classroom, eager to tell you about what went down over the weekend. Or when they seek you out at lunch time because they need somebody to talk to. Or when, out of the blue, you feel their tiny little arms wrap around your waist as they look up at you and say, “Miss Divya. I sure love you.”
Nothing beats those moments.
It is in those moments where all walls come down, all layers are shed, and love takes over.
It is in those moments that I can recognize my value as a teacher. It’s not because I taught them how to properly use a contraction. It’s not because I taught them how to identify the main idea in a passage.
It’s because, under all that content and curriculum and common core standards, there is love.
And I’m great at that part of teaching.
The love part of teaching.
Just as we Love you Divya for who you are.
Right back at you, Bill! š
It is always so great to see someone’s passions! Love this!
The love part of teaching is exactly why so many teachers stick to it through difficult admins, mandates, and students. We’re there for the love of the kiddos!
Oooh I have been looking for a new podcast to follow and From the Heart sounds great. Thanks for sharing!
I always enjoy reading about blogger’s passions and can tell that teaching is something you do with love.
Honestly, I never thought of being a teacher since my mom is one, and she’s always complaining but it’s amazing to see people like you !!
Yes yes yes! The love part of teaching is so real and so needed by every teacher.
I love this – the best teachers teach with love. You can see it so clearly. And now I need to check out this podcast!
The love part of teaching is what sticks with the students too!! Love this post!
Love is what gets us through so much, and what infuses every part of our life with meaning!
This is great! I think as long as you remember why you love something you’ll rock at it- makes it less of a chore š
I am not a teacher by profession but I did a short stint of teaching for almost 2 years as an ESL Tutor to Japanese students. I didn’t intend to really teach but eventually, I loved every single bit of it. It’s amazing to see how the students learn so much and become better because of what we impart. This post makes me miss teaching. š
I think it’s the love factor that keeps so many teachers (in so many fields) holding on through the struggles and the negativity they often have to endure! Such a beautiful article from a beautiful perspective!
Thank you for sharing this. I will have to check that podcast out.
Ah, I wish there were more teachers who though this way. So many are in it for the career path these days.
Speaking of love… I LOVE this post! It’s so great to hear you talk about exactly what it is about teaching that made you fall in love with it. As a non-teacher, I’ve always wondered what makes teachers get into their professions and stay with them over time: Is it teaching itself, or is it a passion for what they’re teaching? It probably varies wildly depending on who you talk to – but I loved hearing your point of view. <3
I love this so much. What I remember about my favorite teachers are these things – not what they taught me.
It’s so important to have passion for your work but ever so much more when teaching. Good on you for sharing this love
This is wonderful <3 I love podcasts, and will have to look Rachel up. I've also wanted to get into yoga for a while now. This lovely message may have kicked my butt to the other side of the fence š
She’s starting a 30-day yoga challenge! #YogaEveryDamnDay