The Oprah Effect*

As evident by the fact I'm an English teacher, math and science didn't always come easy for me. And with frustration meant a dislike for the subject. Until physics my senior year. Something about physics interested me as well as the personality of my teacher, Mr. Netland. I always respected my teachers, but I had a different type of respect for this well-educated and seasoned teacher. Something he told our class has stuck with me since those days of lab reports and chapter readings. He told us that he didn't want to cause the "Oprah Effect" on any of his students. Meaning, there are always these episodes where students will bring their past teachers on the Oprah show and tell the teacher what a positive impact he/she had on this particular student's life. Mr. Netland was afraid that a student would bring him on the Oprah show and tell him about the negative impact he made a student's life. As a high school student I remember thinking this was funny because I didn't really think it would ever happen. As a teacher now, I completely understand what he means.

Teaching is tricky business in which only a teacher can understand. And as the years go on, what I've realized is that not only am I afraid of the "Oprah Effect" of how I impact students lives, but I've realized the impact the students have on my life. There are the student tragedies that are imprinted on my heart, and the funny sayings that I find myself repeating. There are the questions they make me answer ("Where will I use this vocabulary quiz in my everyday life in the future?") and challenge my thinking on a variety of subjects. And of course there are the student success stories that I love to share. And sometimes, for some people, there are very different ways a student reaches you.

I had the privilege of seeing the movie Gran Tornio last night with Clint Eastwood and Bee Vang. As in Bee Vang: my former English student. It was an exciting and odd experience, as I'm sure it was for many people who know Bee, watching someone I know so well on the big screen. He did an amazing job and I'm so proud of him. The movie is thought-provoking, emotional, educational, and much more. And as I sat watching him, I thought how cool it was to have the roles reversed. Here I was sitting in a chair for hours (albeit more comfortable), listening to him talk about his Hmong culture, watching him demonstrate a lesson for me using his skills and passions. So, Bee, thank you for what you've taught me and what you're teaching the world. And just so you know, when Oprah comes knocking on my door asking about you, don't worry; I only have positive things to say.

*As a side note, I struggled with the correct usage of "effect or affect" for this blog entry. I decided that it is technically both a noun and a verb, so I just picked one. I'm open to other thoughts on the subject, though.