Teaching with Soul: The Flame That Guides Us
Miss Dixi’s smile was like a neon sign that said “Welcome Y’all.” Miss Dixi was from Texas and her heart was bigger than her homeland. Miss Dixi, a retired grade school teacher, was perhaps doing her best work as a professor in a teacher education program.
Following a 20-year career in the high-tech industry, I began my second career by enrolling in a teacher licensure program. I was in my early 40’s, certainly not the youngest student in the class, nor the oldest. I was preparing to become a middle school or high school English teacher; a profession I had always aspired to. But having graduated college looking no older (or wiser) than the students I would be teaching, I turned my aspirations to the computer hardware and software industry.
Twenty years later, I had the great good fortune to meet Miss Dixi. She welcomed me to her classroom like we had been friends forever. She radiated warmth and hospitality to her proteges for the next 8 months.
I share with you the following anecdote of one of our final lessons. Like all great teachers, Miss Dixi allowed her students to do most of the talking. All of us sat in a circle, holding a lighted candle. The soft light of the candles filled the room. Gentle music set a reflective mood. Then Miss Dixi said, “I want each of you to recall a moment when one of your teachers connected with you and touched your soul.” We sat in silence for several moments. Then one by one we shared our story with the group. All of us, only months away from our own classrooms, described the teacher whose love and spirit touched our souls.
Following a pause, Miss Dixi said, “observe the flame, it flickers. Each flame is unique. It’s so easy to see. Beautiful to view. All candles shine differently.” She paused again, then said, “The children and young adults you will be teaching are just like the flame. A unique spirit. A flame like no other. Always allow each student to distinguish them self, to shine. Never extinguish their joy for learning.”
During the past 26 years, my career in education has been characterized by immense joy and fulfillment. I have been inspired by my colleagues who teach with soul, leading with love, empathy, and compassion. I have experienced the sadness of life, the death of colleagues, parents, grandparents, and students. Throughout it all, I remember the indelible preparation and formation by Miss Dixi, who so skillfully shared her teaching expertise and wisdom. Most importantly, she filled our hearts to teach and to touch each child’s soul with empathy and compassion.