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.
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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.
