How do people know what you love? Do you wear your heart on your sleeve? Do you talk about the things you love excessively? Do you collect items that show your favorite things? Is there something that people see and automatically think of you? How does those love of "things" develop?
When we talk about passion, the first seeds of interest may be planted by those around us. Parents often plant those first seeds. These seeds can be related to our parents' passions. Parents may expose us to their interests and by "default" an interest and spark can begin in us. These interests can be athletics, books, and music...but they can also be work ethic, style of clothing, and grit.
We often see students taking on the passions that we share with them. Students are quick to learn those things that we love. They love knowing our favorite colors, sports teams, and food.. and we often see students following our lead. Just like our parents, this influence is unintentional. Students look to us as role models and naturally emulate those behaviors and likes they see within us.
Do you know the one thing that students can really tell if we love? It is teaching. They can tell if this is your passion. They can tell if you are excited by learning. They can tell if you do follow your own advice. They can tell which subject is your favorite. They know.
What we need to remember is that the little spark that we show can light a fire within our students. It can draw them to reading. It can open their eyes to a new hobby. The encouragement you give can help give a student the confidence to pursue these sparks. It can provide a connection with a student. It can help them think that one day they would like to do this job.
Keep showing the kids what you love.
