How Do You Measure Success?

My summer vacation is rapidly winding down.  And with record setting heat, I've been trying to find ways to be in cool places late in the afternoon.  Yesterday, I went to see Larry Crowne at one of our local theaters.  Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts star in a movie where Hanks' character (40's or above recently unemployed man without a college degree) gets laid off and decides to go back to his local college, where he takes a beginning speech class taught by Roberts' character (an alcoholic, unhappily married professor who is lost personally and professionally).  His classmates were what I found interesting as they reminded me of students that I deal with everyday and I found myself laughing at what others might have found unusual places (but since there was only 3 of us in the theatre I guess that wasn't a big deal!) as I thought of these kids.

After it was over, I wondered.....how do you measure success?  Is it measured by where you wind up at the end of your life?  Is it measured by how much money you have?  Is it measured by how many people you influence?

And exactly, what is success?  Making your first million?  Having your first child?

Recent disappointments have made me doubt my ideas of success and value.  I could have made a lot more money if I had never returned to education, so that takes care of the value section.  But, I can say I have made a difference in someone's life and I guess that will have to be my measure of success.

I had a former student who I shall refer to as "My favorite student" join my friend list on Facebook.  He came into my life as a 7th grader with a wide smile and active body.  He had issues reading.  And he wanted to be the next great basketball player in the NBA.  We had him tested and placed where he needed to be, but he'd have to leave my class...and he wasn't happy about it.  I made an extra special effort to see him in the hallways and keep track of him on the court.  As he progressed through school, I'd go to his basketball games and he always came by to say "hi", and sometimes give me a hug...still with the wide grin and the greeting of "How is my favorite teacher?".  In fact, when he played football his coach sent me an email to let me know that I was chosen by him to tell the team about his favorite teacher and why I was chosen.  I was honored...and I still have that email in my personal files.

Today he teaches and coaches and works with kids who have reading issues.  To say that I am proud is an understatement.  He still refers to me as his favorite teacher, and I proudly look at his Facebook page to see the photos he posts of what he is doing with his kids. 

So, "My favorite student"....your favorite teacher wants to thank you for reminding her what success is, and that often it isn't in the administrator's chair.  I may never get that seat, but I've got you to remind me of what I have done and can continue to do in the lives of others.  And that is all I need.