“I simply enjoy being a part of students’ growing, learning, changing, improving, and becoming virtuous citizens.”
Being a teacher can be a difficult and daunting task; however, it can also be rewarding and a great experience for all teachers. Lenay Rodgers is a teacher at Franklin Community High School who works with students and helps them plan their future. Here is Mrs. Rodgers on what motivates her day to day: “I would say that this is still one of the many things that motivates me each day. I simply enjoy being a part of students growing, learning, changing, improving, and becoming virtuous citizens.”
For any new teacher coming into the building, being a teacher can be an intimidating experience. However, Mrs. Rodgers gives some important advice to new teachers: “I quickly learned that being a public school teacher required more relationship-building skills than information-sharing skills! So my advice to someone considering becoming a teacher would be to keep this as a priority.”
Being a teacher can be a rewarding experience, and many teachers love coming into the building every day. Here is what Mrs. Rodgers says is the most rewarding part of her job: “But one part, for me, is seeing students change so much from their freshman to their senior year. I have a unique position that allows me to stay with certain students all 4 years. It is exciting to see them in their senior year, ready to graduate, planning for college or work, and maturing in their own beliefs and actions.”
Teachers can leave a major impact on their students, good and bad. I know personally that teachers have left a bad impression on me. But that’s not true for Mrs. Rodgers.
“I hope that students see their own value. I hope that they have all done something unique and exciting that they feel good about and strive to do more of what they were created for. I hope that they are not afraid to try new things, work hard, and grow and change.”
Since I’ve been placed in Mrs. Rodgers’ classes, my grades and performance have greatly improved. However, Mrs. Rodgers is more than a teacher; she is someone I can go to about any of my issues. Without her help, I would likely be in the same situation, where I was struggling with all my subjects and would be angry because of it.
So thank you, Mrs. Rogers, for all you do.
