Greatest Love of All!

by Dr. Cathy Coker

Teachers, it’s that time of the year again. The dreaded STAAR Tests. These begin April 18 and will continue through May 12, 2023. This article is not about tests. It’s also not about what you must do or should have done to prepare for these exams. This article is about acknowledging that you have done your best. You taught them the strategies and content that they need. Some grasped the teachings, some didn’t. Whichever the case, you did your best.

What we should have also done is teach them how to love themselves. When a child has selflove, they will have the confidence to face the Goliath’s in life that will confront them. No, I am not asking you to teach another course on self-love, I am asking you to give them the encouragement to love themselves and all their quirks. We are all different and that’s what makes us special.

This article is about love. It’s about loving yourself. You should never identify your self-worth with your students’ exam scores. That’s wrong, from the get-go. That’s why the nation is facing a teacher crisis. Many teachers have left the one job that made them happy because some people that have never set foot in a classroom are making up curriculum and laws that tell us how to do our job and if we don’t match up, we are not good teachers.

As you well know there are many challenges ahead for our students. We know because we are in the trenches with them. We have experienced those obstacles as well. Let’s teach them those strategies.

What we should have done is prepare our students to do their best for any exam that life brings them. Take a deep breath and know that you have done a great job. Teaching is not only about passing tests, but also about teaching them to love themselves. How many of us have had that one kid that just has issues. There will be some teachers that have said, “well I am not the parent”.

No, you are not the parent but you are their only and last hope to a better life. You might be the only one that shows them the love that they so much need in their life. We are life changers.

Teaching is not just about academia; it’s about teaching the child who they are. They are our future. The lyrics to the song by Whitney Houston, “The Greatest Love of All”, inspires me to do my job even though my students are not listening to my teachings.

I do hope and pray that I did teach them how to love themselves. You are that one teacher that has listened and guided little Mary or Joe to be the best they can be, just because you said, “you are so smart, and I believe in you.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iej48IlYHz0

Take a moment and listen to the song because you are loved by many.

Lyrics

I believe the children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way Show them all the beauty they possess inside

Give them a sense of pride to make it easier

Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.

Everybody searching for a hero

People need someone to look up to

I never found anyone who fulfill my needs

A lonely place to be

And so I learned to depend on me.

I decided long ago

Never to walk in anyone’s shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I’ll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can’t take away my dignity.

Because the greatest love of all Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all

Inside of me

The greatest love of all

Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

It is the greatest love of all

I believe the children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way

Show them all the beauty they possess inside

Give them a sense of pride to make it easier

Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be.

I decided long ago

Never to walk in anyone’s shadows

If I fail, if I succeed

At least I’ll live as I believe

No matter what they take from me

They can’t take away my dignity

Because the greatest love of all Is happening to me

I found the greatest love of all

Inside of me

The greatest love of all Is easy to achieve

Learning to love yourself

Is the greatest love of all

And if, by chance, that special place

That you’ve been dreaming of Leads you to a lonely place

Find your strength in love