June 1, 2016

Commencement

Soo a few months ago I submitted for a contest to speak at my graduation...I wasn't picked but I'd figured I'd share it with all of you.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Good evening all respected faculty, family and friends. To the Class of 2016 a special welcome to all of you. Tonight’s Commencement means the end of our journey here at Hunter College, but it also means a beginning. We are commencing a new chapter, for some we have been educators working long days in our respected classrooms, for others they are just expanding their horizon, making calls, and waiting anxiously for that chance to do what their passions have brought them to. To teach.
            I don’t want to spend my time up here talking the cliché, of how we have worked hard to get here. We know that, what I want to touch upon is being in the moment. Taking in what is around you, everyone in this room, from our Professors, our families, our friends, and cohorts are all sharing this moment, this achievement, and for that you should give yourself a chance to really let it sink in.
            Learning to be in the moment was one of the first lessons I encountered when I began working in the classroom. I was college graduate, also from Hunter, I studied film and in my struggle to maintain stability in economic hard times, I found myself working at a Universal Pre-K as an assistant teacher. I ended up basically at the beginning, because it was the same school I attended at the age of 4. I found myself at full circle, sitting in a classroom working with the children and I realized I wanted these kids to have something better, and what was better than having a teacher, who came from their neighborhood, who attended this same school. I wanted to be the teacher who encouraged them, reminded that they can do so much if they just focused. And then I found myself in that moment, when I showed one of my students a picture of the sun, and watched how he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, he was surprised, he kept asking questions and wanting to see more. I found myself amazed by how he was absorbing the information, and me being able to put aside my own personal issues, I allowed myself to take in that moment. It was short but to the both of us it meant more. For him, his drawings changed and weren’t of your typical kid pic of a sun. No, he was channeling what he learned. For me, it established that I found where I needed to be.
            I won’t lie, I have cried, had doubts, been anxious, and yet also found myself feeling like I am achieving something amazing. I’m sure most of you can agree that some days are tough, and some days are exciting, but don’t forget who you are sharing those moments with. Everyday for six hours you share a space with young minds that look up to you, and are part of that everyday hustle and bustle we go through. Teaching isn’t a walk in the park, and by sitting here tonight at Commencement we know that this is only beginning of the journey that lies ahead of us.
            Tupac Shakur once said, “I’m not saying I’m gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change it.” That is what we should aim for. As educators, we should accept moments in our classroom, the triumphs and even the plans that don’t work out, but keep in mind with who you are working with. Allow them to enjoy their time at school, to face their challenges and know they have the ability to get through things. Guide them and experience those small moments that allow them to open their minds. Remember, the sun is more than just circle with triangles around it, it’s a big ball of energy that lights up the galaxy, and with those small simple moments in the classroom, they can learn to do the same.
            To the Class of 2016, I say take a deep breath, and enjoy what is happening right now. This moment you have earned it, so allow yourself to take in what it means to you and what it will mean later on in your future endeavors. It has been a pleasure to walk through these halls again with all of you, and I wish you all the very best and congratulations.
            Thank you.




No comments:

Post a Comment