In that Moment

         I remembered the first time when I had to teach Pre-Kindergarten for my student-teacher internship, I was petrified. Before I got to the classroom I was a ball full of nerves and my stomach was doing all sorts of back flips. When I arrived and stood before the class, I felt all 22 set of little brown eyes staring at me and my anxiety really started to set in. I felt my knees buckling, my hands shaking and my palms sweating. So many thoughts raced through my mind. “Am I doing this right? Are the students going to listen to me? Is this lesson age-appropriate? Am I cut out to be a teacher?” I was really second guessing everything I’ve learned in my teaching certification courses. It did not ease my anxiety that I was being video tapped since it was a requirement for my internship.  Once I got started with the lesson, I reached for the book for the read aloud off of the desk and it slipped right out of my sweaty palms onto to the floor (along with a stack of papers). The students began to chuckle and others try to run and grab the papers off the floor. I was thinking to myself, “Oh no I am starting off on the wrong foot. Can I please stop the camera and start over?” I knew I had to think fast and decide to push through or give up and fold under pressure. When I picked up the book and saw those set of 22 little brown eyes staring at me again, I knew that I could not give up and that I had to push through. I knew that I needed to set an example for these little ones and show them that no matter what happens or what obstacles you are faced with “just do not give up” and I did just that. I successfully made it through my lesson, minus a few stumbled words and missing points, but nonetheless I finished. I was glad that it was over but I still felt a bit down on myself because I knew that I could have done a whole lot better and that I let my nerves get the best of me. It was not until I was sitting at the desk reviewing the video footage that was taped, that a little boy ran up behind me and gave me a big hug and said, “You are the best teacher ever and I am so proud of you.” I turned around to see the little boy’s face and tears began to well in my eyes. In that moment that was all the validation I needed that I was in the right profession. That little boy’s words of encouragement touched my heart and reassured me that no matter what may come my way “Do not give up” because it is always a set of eyes watching you and that you have to lead by example and that your actions can inspire others. I will forever remember him.