A #whyandwill project was created by principal Dr. Jim Roscoe to showcase why teachers teach and what they are willing to do to achieve their why.
“Everyone can state their why. To me that’s the easy part. The hard part, and what separates in my opinion good schools from great schools, is the will,” Roscoe said. “In other words, that second question, what will you do to ensure that your why comes true? What action will you do to make sure you’re achieving your why?”
The why for teachers was about helping students and helping make a difference in their lives.
“I can honestly leave the planet and say I tried to make a difference. I tried to give back something that was given to me,” said English teacher JoAnn Galluzzi.
Teachers hope to make a difference in their students’ lives and to make a lasting impact because their students made one for them.
“Teaching is a very hard job, but I think it’s easily one of the most fulfilling jobs. I think you see your impact every day. I also think it is a lasting kind of career. For however long I teach, I’m going to remember my kids forever,” said social studies department chair Adrijana Bisevac.
Teaching is a challenging job that has more of an impact than many people realize.
“It is far more than just showing up to a class, teaching and going home. We are mentors. We are guides. We are friends. We are everything to each other, for our kids,” Roscoe said
In order to achieve the will behind their why, teachers make sure students are comfortable knowing they can come to them and get help.
“I think generally I try to be open and approachable so my students feel comfortable coming to me whether it’s for help in the class or if they need anything or if there’s something outside of the class,” Bisevac said.
Teachers will stay after school, come in early, and meet with students whenever they can to help them.
I will give up anything; I will do anything. That’s what my job is. Even if I just help one kid; that’s why I’m here,” Galluzzi said. “I love being able to meet with them one on one and have a kid go, I get this now. I didn’t get this before, but I get it now.”
Through different approaches, teachers will make sure that their students understand what they’re being taught.
“Teaching has always been 99 percent about building relationships with me. That is the single most important component of teaching. I know I can teach content, but you’re not teaching content, you’re teaching kids,” Bisevac said.