Quote 2

"We won't win every battle. We won't save every child. But together we can be the standard bearers of human dignity by being present in humility and in solidarity with the world's most vulnerable individuals, families and communities." - Joia Mukherjee

I try to live my life by this motto. It's hard though. Sometimes it definitely feels like I lose more than I win. That more children are lost than saved. That those who are saved mostly save themselves. But it's aspirational for me.

Being a teacher is kinda hard too, because sometimes you have to do things in the long-term interests of the child that short-term might make them not like you so much. I try to keep in mind that I am really working in loco parentis, in the place of the parent, which means that I need to have the long-term interests of the children foremost in my mind. How can I help them to grow into self-reliant, literate and educated individuals?

In the end, I believe that I am a "standard bearer of human dignity". That my students understand that I value them as human beings, that I care for them as individuals. And the work I am doing has significance in teaching children both life-lessons (mostly implied) as well as pushing them to achieve in the academic arena.

BTW - the quote came from an article in PIH Bulletin, published by Partners in Health. PIH is one of my favorite organizations; founded by one of my heroes: Paul Farmer. If you are looking for an organization to support financially, I highly recommend PIH. They are doing important work, but more importantly, I believe they are doing transformative work. Also, if you haven't yet read Mountains Beyond Mountains, the biography of Paul Farmer by Tracy Kidder . . . get thee to a library!