A teacher’s Perspective

A Teacher’s Perspective by Aira Importante

I want to take a moment to be honest with you all. There are times I ask myself, Am I in the right profession? Am I just someone who comes and goes each day, doing my job, or am I truly making a difference in my students' lives? I wonder if I’m truly leaving an impact, or if I’m just another part of their daily routine, passing through like any other responsibility they face. I think about the challenges—the long hours, the frustration whenever students seem to not get what you are teaching, or the heartaches when a student leaves the school because of poor choices. And then there’s the growing needs of my own family, and the reality that teaching is not exactly a high-paying job. Sometimes, I wonder, Should I stay?

Recently one morning, I received an email from one of our former students, Emmett. He asked for a second recommendation letter for his studies, but more than that, he shared his journey with me—his struggles, the moments when he almost drifted away from his goals, and his joy in getting back on track. He excitedly talked about his growing interest in Quantum Computers, and what really touched me was when he recalled everything he learned from my class. He even connected it to what he is studying now and shared how it adds to what I am currently teaching. He even mentioned:

“I plan to advance further than a Computer Science degree by aiming towards Computer Hardware Engineering and Cyber Security, promising to do only good with it. Like software for financial health, built for anti-scam, securing innocent people’s data, securing innocent people’s non-consensual live activity, bring missing people home, prevent human trafficking, [and] catch traffickers.

Students like Emmett make my “teacher” heart beat again. They reignite my passion for teaching—not just to pass on knowledge but to spark curiosity, to encourage imagination, and to help them dream bigger. And it’s not just him. There have been others, reminders that what we do matters, even when we don’t see the results right away, even if there is only one student we positively influence–it is all worth it.

And when I say "teacher," I don’t just mean those of us teaching subjects in the classroom. Every one of us—whether we’re in the office, the cafeteria, or in any role here—are teachers. We are their second parents, guiding them, supporting them, and teaching them valuable lessons whenever we have an encounter with them. It’s a shared responsibility, and it makes us all part of something bigger. 

With that in mind, I want to share this letter with you. It’s a letter written from the perspective of students to their teachers, and I hope it encourages all of us today.

Dear Teacher…

You are important. What you do is important. I come to school to learn. I am often thinking deeply about what you are saying, not daydreaming. Good teachers will reap great rewards; God knows what you go through every day and He always rewards the faithful. Thank you for the sacrifices you make to be a teacher.

Nothing discourages me more than to hear a teacher complain about teaching. I will work with all my heart and mind if I believe you care about me and my success.Please see me as an individual and do not lump me in with other students who lie, cheat, scheme, or disrespect you. Please do not tell me to read something and figure it out for myself–my success is your success. Please do not sigh or make fun of me when I ask questions. My self-esteem is probably much lower than you could ever guess. 

The hallways can be cruel; let your classroom be a safe haven for me. If I seem distracted or depressed, feel free to ask me if I am ok. You would be shocked to know some of the things your students are going through. You could be my greatest hero, a life-changer, the teacher I look forward to every day, that I work my hardest to please, and the one I give credit to when I am a big success; please keep that in mind when you come to work every day. Pray for me and I will pray for you. Let me know in some direct or small hint that you are a Christian; that means a lot to me. Get to know me, or at least something about me; I might just change your life too. Respectfully, Your Students (Present and Future). Source: Encouragement for Educators, bible.com.

As I read this, I couldn’t help but reflect on the responsibility and privilege we have as educators. Some days, we may feel exhausted or wonder if we are really making an impact, but our students see us, they remember us, and they look to us for guidance.

So, as we continue in this journey, let’s remind ourselves—what we do is not in vain. We may not always see the fruits of our labor immediately, but we are planting seeds that will grow in ways we may never fully realize.