Connections: Linking Talented Educators
Connections: Linking Talented Educators

Every Day is a New Opportunity

April 17, 2019

1000w Silvia Miranda with students2

by Silvia Miranda (NM '18)

New Mexico Milken Educator Silvia Miranda knew she would like being an educator—but she didn't anticipate the impact teaching others would have on her own life. She teaches fourth grade at Mesa Elementary in Clovis. This essay was inspired by Education Post's #loveteaching series.


There are a million little reasons why I love teaching.

I love the 20-something eager minds that walk into my classroom each year, getting to decorate my classroom, and the smell of new school supplies. I love planning the “perfect” lessons and then watching my students turn those lessons into valuable learning. I love creating the fun activities that finally make students believe that yes, learning can be fun! I love the endless hugs, being called “mom” by students who aren’t my kids, and calling students “my kids” with just the same love.

I love witnessing the “aha” moments when students finally understand a difficult concept, the random comments my students make that warm my heart, and the unrelenting effort students put into their work. I love having the ability to shape little minds in a positive way. I love knowing that each day is a new opportunity to reach another student, and I love providing a loving place for my students to go. I love each and every part of my job, even the hard days, the heartbreaking days.

I went into teaching knowing I was going to love it, knowing I was going to make a big impact in the lives of others. What I didn’t expect was the impact teaching others was going to have on my own life.

The biggest reason I love teaching? The knowledge that what I am doing is making a positive difference—not just in the lives of my students, but in my own life. I learn every day from my kids. I learn not to take myself too seriously. I learn how to accept and forgive others. I learn that laughter really is the best medicine. And I learn that no matter what difficult obstacles or circumstances life hits us with, having just one person in our corner makes all the difference in the world.

1000w Silvia Miranda with students 2

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