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Today marks the end and beginning of two separate journeys in our lives. We are concluding one
adventure and embarking on a whole new one. A few years ago, we entered Illinois State
together as the class of 2013. Regardless of our individual majors, we all came to Illinois
State with a common interest and common goal -- we all wanted to become teachers. We all
wanted to inspire and motivate others. We all wanted to share our love of learning.
Like many of you, I have wanted to teach since I was a young child. So, today is not just
the end of our undergraduate career. Rather, it is the fulfillment of a life-long dream.
Today, we will all walk across this stage, celebrating the fact that we are finally realizing
this dream -- We are teachers! Through our own education here at Illinois
State, we have learned how to be effective educators. However, we all possess something
that we never "learned" in a course or "acquired" while studying for an exam -- that is, a passion
for teaching. We all possess a profound love for this profession. Teaching is a work of
heart. But, teaching is not an easy profession. We all know this. It requires dedication,
commitment, and perseverance. As teachers, our workday never ends. We are in school for
seven or eight hours, and we still continue to prepare for tomorrow's lessons at home.
Our students constantly envelop and occupy our thoughts. So, why do we do it? Why do
we teach? It's a simple answer -- we have passion. Passion is arguably the most vital
attribute that we possess as teachers. It is our driving force. We whole-heartedly accept
the challenges that lie ahead of us because we are doing what we love. We would not be
here today if we did not have passion. Where did your passion for teaching come from?
Did you know since you were a child that teaching was your calling? Or, did you gradually come
to realize this in college? Either way, no matter how we developed it, passion is something
that we all possess now. However, in a few years, if you allow daily struggles or stressors
to overcome you, you may run the risk of losing this passion! Passion needs to be rekindled
constantly. This happens in the natural bond that forms between student and teacher. We
spark the flame, and they keep it burning with their ongoing questions and innocent
excitement for learning. As a teacher, observing this excitement or even being part of creating
it is a reward that is priceless. What a gift this is!
During my student teaching internship, I realized that my students fueled and reignited my passion
on a daily basis. In spite of the setbacks or hurdles that I faced, I never once doubted
the path that I had chosen for myself. Perhaps, this is because my students accepted me as
family. Together, we were learning! I was learning to teach, and they were accepting
all that I had to offer with enthusiasm and a natural desire to learn. We were on an adventure
together, side-by-side! We journeyed together, shared together, and laughed together. This
year, one of my first grade students eagerly told me, "Miss Froehlich, you know, I can
speak three languages -- English, Spanish, and French." In our Spanish-English bilingual
classroom, I was surprised to hear that he knew French. So, naturally, I asked my student,
"Can you teach me something in French?" His response, "It's a me a Mario!" This is a moment
that I will tuck away in my heart and remember again someday when I need to get through a
particular struggle in teaching. This will make me smile and remind me of the young boy
who was ready to journey with me. It will remind me to teach with heart!
So, today, we celebrate everything that we have accomplished at Illinois State, and we
anticipate the new journey that lies ahead. For some of us, this new journey means having
a classroom of our own. For others, it means continuing to search for that classroom. Either
way, we will all confront challenges and hurdles in our new journey. But, as long as we maintain
our passion, we can open any door, no matter how heavy it may seem. As long as we maintain
our passion, we will always have the power to touch someone's life and to share our love
of learning. Never lose hope, and never let go of the passion. The legacy that we will
leave begins today! Congratulations to all of our graduates.