Starfish Story

I was at my moms school the other day where she is the secretary, talking to one of the teachers. She asked if I was going to school and what I would be going into. I told her education, which of course she got excited, she loves teaching! We talked for a bit, then I had to go. The last thing she said to me was "remember the starfish story when you teach!" I nodded my head in agreement and smiled. Yet, I had no idea what she was talking about! Curiosity got the best of me, and I hopped on google right away, to see what in the world the starfish story was. I ended up finding a youtube video, and I found the story very inspirational.

The video is at the bottom of the blog, but in case it is not working here is a short summary: A man is walking on the beach, when he sees a young boy tossing starfish back into the ocean. The boy claims that the starfish will die since the tide is out. The man claimed the boy was crazy, as there were miles of beach, so he would never make a difference. The boy picked up another starfish, tossed it back into the ocean, and said "I made a difference for that one."

Of course, I can see why she would tell me to remember the video. I feel this story is very inspirational to a future teacher, or even teachers now. As future teachers, we need the encouragement to not give up on students. It may seem like we cannot make a big difference in a lot of students lives, but even if we can fully reach through to one, we are making a difference. We should take pride that our future profession allows the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young children. We are able to provide encouragement and motivation to future generations. So if we don't have the encouragement ourselves to not give up, how are we supposed to make a difference to them? This video really opened my eyes to future struggles I may have. I may end up in a room with 25 students, and feel overwhelmed with my job of having some sort of an effect on them. I have to know, that I may not reach through to them all. As much as I may try, some just may not be accepting or even care. Yet, there are bound to be students I will make a difference with. Even one, one is always better than none. I feel that it will more than likely be more than one, but it's hard telling now. So if I tell myself to aim to make the difference that I can, I will accomplish something. I cannot aim to make a huge difference with every student I come across. That is just not plausible. I may alter a lot, but a long lasting difference may come in very few numbers. But how many other jobs can say that have effectively made a difference in someones life, especially a young child. It really is rewarding, and will boost my confidence if I can reach through to these students.

Yet, as much as I find myself enjoying this story/video, it reminds me of a past situation that may be considered it's downfall. I was volunteering for a 5th grade classroom, when there was one student that was not cooperating at all. He was behind in every subject, always acted up, and really just didn't seem to care about school whatsoever. The teacher sent him to the hall, again, and I had asked her if I should go work with him or talk to him. She said "no, he's a lost cause." I was shocked. How could a teacher ever think of a student that way. No student is a lost cause, unless they are given up on. This story reminded me of this situation because I think teachers may get it in their mind that as long as a difference is made for one student, then it's ok. Which if you try your hardest, and can only reach one student, then it is for sure ok. But I think with this story can come the mentality that some students can be given up on, since the teacher makes difference or affects the others. I feel that the teacher should try their hardest, the whole time they are in contact with the student. It may seem like nothing is working, but if the student is given up on, then it for sure won't work. It should never be looked at as a lost cause unless they move on.

As a future teacher, I will try my hardest to affect and make a difference for ALL my students. I will push them and encourage them the whole time that I am in contact with them. Some students may seem like I more successfully made a difference on them, but that does not mean I give up on the others. If anything, I encourage them more. It is my job to not give up on any of the students, just as the story with the starfish. I really enjoyed this story and gained a lot of insight from it. Hope you enjoy it too!