Giving Back

I was recently privileged to participate in an amazing philanthropist’s foundation, the purpose of which was to give back to the people of the home where she was born and raised. Like most people that I know, this woman grew up in an environment in which she had little or nothing financially or economically. Yet, she was able to provide medical and dental services and clothing to members of that community. How was she able to do this singlehandedly? Well, she wasn’t, but she realized that what “I” cant do, “we” can. She possessed the wherewithal and initiative to enlist the goods and services of eighty-four volunteers, committed to a common purpose, to achieve her vision.

Though disadvantaged by a shortfall of funds in her youth, there was no scarcity of love in her family of fourteen children. As I reflect on the experience that I had with this philanthropist as she served her community, I thought of a quote by author Mitch Albom, from Tuesdays with Morrie: “Money is not a substitute for tenderness, and power is not a substitute for tenderness.” This woman showed that while it takes money to achieve and accomplish goals, the motive and passion to endow springs from the heart. She was able to be educated and did not stop at the bare minimum. She went on further to obtain her doctoral degree and is now giving back to her community. What an accomplishment and joy!

Her gesture and her organization further encouraged me to want to give back to my community to students who are needy and still willing to learn. It shows that even when I think that I have nothing to contribute, there are always others who are worse off than I. This summer I was able to give books to students who enjoy reading so I could help to foster their reading. I was able to restore a school’s library. The books and shelves in the library were ancient and termite eaten. I can’t wait to see the joy on the students’ faces as they see the newly restored library and the books that they can actually read. This giving back process lends a level of satisfaction, pride and a sense of purpose. It will be my job to continue supplying the books for this library and encourage students to read and provide an environment that supports the love of reading. It also reinforces the quote, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It tells me that something done for the right reason can make the community, or better yet, the world, a better place. I can and will make a difference in students’ lives.

How can we give back to our students in our classroom, school, school district, or students in another country? We can start by giving/sharing our knowledge of the curriculum, be a role model, and show them that they matter in life. We can show how to give with a positive attitude. We should teach our students how to give with a purpose because sharing is caring. As a teacher my mantra has always been that if I can get one student to say, “I get it!” and watch the sparkle in his/her eyes, then I am giving back and I have a great job! As we go back to the classroom, let us go willingly and see how we can give back in our own small ways that which might be BIG to our students. It is worth remembering C.M. Taylor’s words “The only thing that any child should hunger for is knowledge.” Best wishes as you cure this hunger!