Many years ago my student asked me the question, "Mrs. Kindred, why do you teach?" Without taking time to reflect, I answered, "Because someday I might say something that might make a difference in someone's life." Even though I was sincere, that wasn't a very good answer and my student didn't let it slide.
"Let me get this straight," he said, "You went to college for four years so you could come here every day because you have the hope that someday you might say something that will influence someone?" He shook his head as if I were crazy and walked away looking confused. I'm one of those people who look back and wish they had said something smart or witty, or swift.
Even though that particular student might no longer wonder why I teach, there are days when I wonder. On those days, I remind myself of the real reasons I teach:
It's in my blood. My mother was my most influential teacher, and she was a 6th grade reading teacher until her death in 1990. She instilled(逐渐灌输) in me a love of reading and the knowledge that education opens doors.
Teaching is a way to make a difference. If you throw a stone in a pond the ripples go on and on until they reach the shore. You can't have ripples without a "stone." Good teachers throw stones that make a positive difference, and that's what I strive to do.
I genuinely love teenagers. I want to share with others what I know and what I have learned through the years. Life is full of ups and downs, and if I can help students avoid some potholes on the road of life, I want to do so. If they'll allow me to celebrate their victories with them, I want to do too.
Teaching isn't for everyone, but I know I made the right career choice.
小题1:Why did the student continue to ask the question about the writer’s being a teacher?
A．Because he thought her answer was unbelievable.
B．Because the writer was insincere.
C．Because the student was naughty.
D．Because the answer was difficult to understand.小题2:What do you think of the writer?
A．Stupid.
B．Honest.
C．Conservative.
D．Polite.小题3:According to the text, which of the following is NOT true?
A．The writer’s mother has the greatest influence on her.
B．The writer’s answer made the student confused.
C．In the writer’s opinion, some people in the world are unfit to teach.
D．The writer annoyed the student who asked the question.小题4:We can infer from the text that _________.
A．the writer was also a good teacher in school
B．the writer often plays with her students beside a pond
C．the writer devotes herself to teaching and her students
D．the writer often accompanies the students on their way home小题5:What’s the main idea of the text?
A．A student’s silly question.
B．A good teacher who likes students.
C．A confused student.
D．The reason why I teach.
