Who was your favourite teacher? Was there one particular teacher who had a profound impact on you?
In recognition of these great teachers we are encouraged to write a note to them or upload a video thanking them for the impact they had on our lives. The “You Made a Difference” campaign is an AWESOME initiative that I’d encourage you to join!!! Sadly too many teachers don’t know the impact that they make on people’s lives. Teaching is demanding and stressful but it can also be rewarding and satisfying.
As teachers we have the capacity to inspire and really make a difference. It is this sense of achievement and contentment that our work is important and makes a difference that people are seeking. Work-life balance is a myth! We should aspire to work-life satisfaction. We should aim to get satisfaction from our work and the other roles we play – parent, partner, community member.
Having the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life should bring a huge sense of satisfaction.
Huffington Post blogger Scott Janssen initiated this video campaign “in an effort to let teachers know how they have made a difference in former students’ lives by allowing those former students to thank their teachers by writing a note or uploading a public video to Facebook or YouTube.”
Whilst the “You Made A Difference Campaign” uses video posts to thank teachers a similar website ThanksForTeaching.Us encourages people to write a note to acknowledge the special teachers who have made a difference in their lives.
Raising the status of the teaching profession is important in retaining and attracting the best teachers. This is a great opportunity to get involved!