Last week, I got into a debate with a friend about why the Oak Ridge area is turning out so many quality kids. We both agreed it all starts at home, as we must have a pile of great parenting going on around here. However, it isn’t all about just what goes on at home. Young people need good leaders to learn from away from home and we can thank whoever hires these great teachers in the ORHS feeder zone for the great people we pass our children off to during the day.

 Back in the swamp at York, we have two excellent teachers who earned Teacher of the Year honors, Shereee Suchma and Mark Wilson. Starting with Teen Leadership teacher Sheree Suchma, this is Part One of a two part series where we look into why these two teachers are Teachers of the Year. Keep in mind that both teachers indicated they do not believe they are any better than any of the other great teachers at York.

 Enjoy Sheree Suchma:

 When I think of the fact that I have taught 34 years. which is over half of my life, you would think I could write several volumes on my philosophy of education.  I can tell you that will never happen. Everyone that is an educator could definitely write a book just on our experiences alone, but I’m summing up my philosophy into the Top Ten Things I know about Teaching (thank you for making it easier, David Letterman).

 Number Ten:  Be kind to the custodial staff.  We all know how important these people are to each of us.  Have you ever had one of those days that things start off wrong just because your floor didn’t get vacuumed for some reason the night before?  Well, it has happened to me and it ruined my morning (maybe I’m a little OCD-obsessive compulsive diosorder). Seriously, I have met some of the nicest custodial people in the world when I stay late after school as they take such pride in their work and we are lucky to have these people clean up our messes when we leave for home.

Number Nine :  Be kind to the paraprofessionals in your school.  I know this makes common sense, but somehow there are teachers who don’t realize the importance of these people and are rude to them or ignore them. These wonderful people keep our school running smoothly and for very little pay compared to the teachers. Why someone would be rude to a Xerox aide who has to deal with hundreds of teachers, some begging for copies first thing in the morning, is beyond me.  Just a smile, a kind note, or a piece of candy with a thank you would go far in making them feel appreciated.

Number Eight:  Share, share, share!  Some of the greatest joy there is can be in knowing you helped someone else with an idea for their classroom. The older I get the more I realize that I wouldn’t have made it this far without the help of others.  Of course, I know that most of them are still not teaching, leaving me as the old “wise “ one now, so I get to mentor others and they really listen. I guess that is a privilege of having years of experience. I feel that it is a responsibility and a joy to do this. As I think back, I have mentored many teachers over the years, just as experienced teachers once helped me. I even taught a Yankee from Michigan to teach Texas History one time and he learned to appreciate it as much as I did. I have actually had the privilege of helping several of my own sons get started in education and there is no greater honor to a parent. Whether it is sharing a lesson plan, an idea on how to deal with behavior, or just a pat on the back when someone is having a rough day… be there for others around you.

Number Seven:  Keep changing with the times.  In 34 years I’ve had to change quite a few times, just with testing names alone ( remember TAAS… ) . I always try to keep some of the techniques or ideas that worked for me , but I think a teacher should always be willing to try something new too.  Technology alone has changed so much since I started…would you believe that we used to average grades in our handwritten gradebook with a ruler to keep you on the right line and a calculator? Yes, it took awhile to average 175 students’ grades. Many new trends and great ideas have come along in my teaching career. Make the most of the new ones and keep doing the things that work.

Number Six:  Love your students.  This is one trend or idea that should never change. If you don’t love your students then you need to get out of education.  In the years I’ve taught I can only name a handful of teachers that fall under this category of not liking kids. After all, we are not doing this to get rich in monetary terms, but I know I am rich in love.  Every time I read a note that a student writes to me or get a hug (yes, when you are an older teacher you can hug students and no one cautions you to be careful anymore) then I know I am a wealthy woman.  Some students I teach need to hear that someone besides their parents love and care for them because at the age I teach many times they don’t think their parents know anything anyway and they won’t listen to them.  I’ve learned to tell students out loud that I love them…it makes all the difference in the world and it’s not hard to say if you mean it.  I feel that teachers need to teach the child, not just the subject, because isn’t the lesson of how to live your life the most important lesson of all?

Number Five:  Let your students’ parents know that you care. Lots of problems can be headed off if you let the parents know that you are on their side and that you truly care about their child too. It’s hard to stay angry with a teacher who loves and cares about their child and shows it. A friendly phone call, a positive note home ….these are little things that go a long way to making the school year easier.

Number Four :  Learn to admit it when you are wrong and apologize. I’ve gone home some days thinking about something that I said or that happened in the day with a certain class and then made up my mind to go back and apologize the next day to the entire class or even to a student in front of the class (much more effective than just to the individual themselves) .  There is nothing bad about admitting we make mistakes- it is a valuable part of the learning process.

Number Three:  Laugh everyday.  Now this I can do well.  I’m always doing something like tripping over my feet or falling off of my stool…so learn to laugh at yourself.  But this also includes laughing with the students about something funny that happens.  My junior high students bring delight into my life daily.  Some of the students I teach don’t have much to laugh about at home in their lives and if I can lighten their load just a little bit every day then I’ve done my job well.

Number Two:   Have respect for others.  It sounds simple, but I know many people that fail to do this.  This means have respect for the administration even when they plan a fire drill during your test day, the other teachers even though you don’t agree with the way they teach, and most importantly for the students even when they are driving you crazy because they don’t understand what you are trying to teach. This means showing respect in simple ways like not chewing gum if you tell them not to, not drinking your coffee in front of them or answering your phone because they can’t do that, but most importantly in the way you talk to your students and the way you treat them daily.  A wise principal once told me to teach all students as you wanted your own children to be taught and treat students as you wanted your own children to be treated. That philosophy has governed my teaching for years and has never once failed me.

Number One:   Be an inspiration to others.  I give a smile and a handshake to each student daily to start off the class right.  I have many posters in my room, but my favorite is “Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference”.  I don’t know any better lesson for life than that.  I try to keep a positive attitude for my students, my colleagues, and even when I discuss my job to others.  I want everyone to know this is the career I have chosen proudly and I know that every day I do make a little difference in someone’s life.

 That sums up the top ten things I think are important about teaching.  My students would tell you  that I am so long winded that I could list 110 things easily and they would be right. I feel very honored to be chosen to represent my school.

 Sheree Suchma is married to another great Teen Leadership teacher in David Suchma, who teaches at the high school. It’s safe to say the Suchmas are two reasons why quality people are being turned out at an alarming rate in this area.

 Go War Eagles!

 Comments to Doug Sarant at doug@oakridgenow.com