The Power of a Teacher | Adam Saenz | TEDxYale

Summary

In this heartfelt narrative, Dr. Adam Lewis Signs shares his transformative journey from a troubled youth to a licensed psychologist, driven by the profound impact of two influential teachers. His story illustrates the life-changing power of educators, as he overcame personal challenges and academic struggles to achieve success. The narrative also highlights his adoption of a young girl, Lauren, emphasizing the generational impact educators can have on students' lives, shaping their future and self-worth.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker's first day as a substitute teacher was a pivotal and traumatic experience that led to a deep reflection on their career and the challenges of teaching.
• 👨‍🏫 The initial attempt at classroom management using the students' names on the board proved ineffective, demonstrating the complexity of behavior management in an inner-city third-grade classroom.
• 👦 The speaker, as a child, was a troubled student with a history of legal issues and undiagnosed depression, yet eventually became a licensed psychologist, illustrating the power of transformation.
• 🔑 The speaker's career shift from psychology to substitute teaching was driven by a desire to understand classroom dynamics firsthand, highlighting the importance of practical experience.
• 💡 A significant insight from the speaker's substitute teaching experience was the realization of the demanding nature of teaching and the respect it deserves, regardless of academic credentials.
• 🤔 The speaker's curiosity about the 'why' of education, beyond the 'how', led to research into the psychological factors influencing educators' job satisfaction and longevity.
• 👧 The story of 'Lou', a troubled youth who became a psychologist, serves as a testament to the impact educators can have on students' lives and the potential for change.
• 💌 Two letters from teachers played a crucial role in the speaker's life transformation, emphasizing the power of positive affirmation and belief in a student's potential.
• 🎓 The speaker's educational journey from a high school dropout to earning a PhD illustrates the importance of perseverance and the influence of educators in shaping one's future.
• 👨‍👧 The adoption story of 'Lauren' and her transformation into a loved and valued family member underscores the generational impact educators can have on students' lives.
• 🏆 The speaker's professional success and the ability to choose his path are attributed to the educators who believed in him, demonstrating the lasting impact of teacher support.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on August 25th, 2008 for the speaker?

The speaker's significant event on August 25th, 2008 was their first day as a substitute teacher in an inner-city third-grade classroom.

What was the speaker's initial method for behavior management in the classroom?

The speaker's initial method for behavior management was to write the names of the students on the board, believing it would instill discipline.

How did the speaker's first day as a substitute teacher affect their career?

The speaker's first day as a substitute teacher was a traumatic event that led to a change in their career path, as they realized the challenges of teaching and the importance of having firsthand experience in a classroom.

What was the turning point for the speaker in terms of their understanding of teaching?

The turning point for the speaker was the realization that having degrees and theoretical knowledge was not enough to understand the demands and challenges of teaching; actual classroom experience was crucial.

What personal experience did the speaker share about their past?

The speaker shared that they were once a troubled youth with a history of legal issues, depression, and drug use, who was adopted by a family and later found success through education.

What role did the speaker's teachers play in their transformation?

The speaker's teachers, Mrs. McRoberts and Mrs. Exley, played a pivotal role by recognizing and affirming the speaker's potential, which eventually led them to pursue higher education and a career in psychology.

What was the impact of the letters from the speaker's teachers?

The letters from the speaker's teachers provided affirmation and belief in their abilities, which helped the speaker to reconsider their self-identity and ultimately change the trajectory of their life.

How did the speaker's perspective on education change after their experience as a substitute teacher?

The speaker developed a deep sense of admiration for educators and became intensely curious about the psychological variables that drive vocational satisfaction for educators, focusing on the 'why' behind education.

What was the significance of the speaker's adoption of Lauren?

The adoption of Lauren by the speaker demonstrated the generational power that educators have in the classroom and the potential for educators to make life-changing impacts on students' lives.

What message does the speaker convey about the power of educators?

The speaker conveys that educators have the power to change lives, influence students' self-perception, and inspire them to reach their potential, as evidenced by their own transformation and the adoption of Lauren.

How did the speaker's understanding of their identity evolve over time?

The speaker's understanding of their identity evolved from being a troubled youth to recognizing their potential and abilities, thanks to the influence of educators, and ultimately adopting a new name, Adam, to represent their transformation.