Ode to the Swans

Let me start with an apology to my friends who are English teachers. Someone once told me that if you want to get your blog read you have to have a catchy title. Hence, I named this post “Ode to the Swans.” You have to admit that if you’re reading this now you either found the title catchy or you’re related to me by blood or marriage. My apology stems from the fact that this is not an ode, nor would I even know how to write an ode (or a haiku for that matter). You see, while I have a few friends that are amazing English teachers; I don’t recall ever having had an amazing English teacher, or a Swan of an English teacher.

As we go through life, hopefully we have all had a teacher or two who left a positive mark on our life. Sure there were the teachers who effectively performed their job duties and the rarer few who it would be a stretch to even say that about. This post isn’t about them. You see those are the ducks and the occasional ugly duckling. The ones who swim about in the pond, let the water roll of their backs, and get through each day by maintaining the current state of affairs. Every once in a while a Swan enters the pond. The Swan is the epitome of grace and manages to fit in and stand out in any crowd, all at the same time. This post is for the teachers who are that metaphorical Swan.

I don’t think it’s a surprise that a Swan is loyal for life. The Swan teachers that I know really take the time to understand each student as an individual. The Swan builds a relationship with others that serves as the foundation for learning. A Swan is there to scaffold for you when you are drowning, to challenge you when you coasting, and to celebrate with you when you make it across the pond.

The Swan is adaptable. It has a plan of action for the day, but knows that the plan may change with the winds, that each day and each stroke has to be personalized to the unique needs of the classroom and the individual students. The Swan isn’t comfortable with just sitting in the middle of the pond and reaching most students. The Swan understands that there are students wading in the shallow end and others trying to see how deep they can dive. The entire pond, with all of its inhabitants, is within the reach of the Swan.

The Swan is a symbol of strength and power in a chaotic world. The inhabitants of the pond know that they can turn to the Swan in times of need. The Swan is a confidant - loyal and trustworthy. When the waters are rough the Swan makes a large pond seem like a safe backyard blue plastic pool.

As educators, we have a choice each day to either be a Swan, a duck, or an ugly duckling. The legacy that we leave as teachers is our mark on our students. That mark can be fleeting or enduring. The Swan helps to shape a child into a remarkable adult. The Swan touches the soul of the child. What kind of teacher will you be today?

The swan stands out with

Rarest beauty leaving mark

On all who pass by

Thank you Mrs. Sawan for being a metaphorical Swan for my children.

I challenge you to share this post with your Swans. Add your Swan’s name in the comments below.