Teaching, like other professions of total mind, body, and spirit dedication, is often referred to as a profession of calling. I've heard many teachers say "I had my calling to be a teacher when..." "I knew teaching was my true calling in life when..."

My calling came when I was eighteen. I was volunteering at a group home (which used to be referred to as orphanages) for boys between the ages of four and fourteen who had been taken out of their homes by the state. The reasons for removal varied everywhere from neglect to physical and sexual abuse. I was placed to volunteer in the home for ages 10-12 as a way to earn my forty "experience with children 'different' than you'" hours that were required for entrance into my secondary education major.

Most of the boys were tyrants - little beasts with very little consciences and very little self control. However, there were two boys, two poor, tormented children, with whom I connected. They were the outcasts of of the house. The other sneakier boys knew, who had learned how to work the system, tortured the two boys for being loners. They poked fun at them and started fights with them. Many times, the teasing was intitiated by staff members who didn't know how to handle the two lonely boys who wouldn't play with the other kids.

The boys were uninhibited with me. Because I was a volunteer, I could not discipline them, and when I was around, they ran wild. They acted like themselves. They cursed, they were nasty, and they fought. They called me bitch, cunt, whore, slut, ugly and every other possible foul word they could remember from their parents. And then, they acted like angels when the staff reappeared.

But not the loners. The loners sat with me and played with their toys, talking to themselves and telling me stories about the games they played when alone in their rooms. "I collect these cards," one of the boys told me one time, showing me a stack of ten, vey colorful trading cards. "Here, you can have this one." He handed me a card. It sparkled. I gave it back to him. I couldn't take one of the only possessions he had. But he insisted. I put it in my wallet, where it has remained.

After that experience, I realized I wanted to work with children more than ever. Where before, teaching had been a "Yeah, I suppose I could go into teaching" profession, now it can become "This is what I really want to dedicate my life to." I learned I couldn't help or touch all the children I worked with, but maybe, just maybe, I could reach a handful of them. For that handful, I had to teach.

Every experience since this one has only reiterated to me that this is what I was born to do. Teaching isn't a profession you do because it merely fits into your schedule or into your scheme of life. Teaching is something you do because you must. It is not a job you do because "It sounds like it might be interesting" or it is near where you live. You know it was your purpose - why you were brought to Earth.

When was your calling? When did you know for certain this is what you were supposed to do with your life?

Hester shared a great idea that all teachers can use in their classrooms to help aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Knapsacksofhope is collecting personal items to create knapsacks for victims that will soon be moving into a refurbished military base in Alabama. Each knapsack will contain a handwritten letter or card to offer a bit of encouragement to the helpless family. Schools can help collect items for the knapsacks and can have their students create cards to include in the knapsacks. Today, I had my 7th and 8th graders create cards and they really enjoyed making them.

Please visit knapsacksofhope  for more information.

I saw this bulletin board in a classroom the other day and I thought it would be a good idea to share. I plan on using it in my classroom next year.

Bulletin Board: Advice From Former Students

At the end of the year, have students write one piece of advice they have for your students next year. These pieces of advice can be written on colorful index cards or small colorful pieces of paper. Create a bulletin board to display all of the advice (good and bad) to your new students for the new school year. Students will like hearing from former students about what your class will be like. They'll know what to expect.

LIVE CHAT: Advice for New Teachers   WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2005, 6 p.m. (EST) WHERE: http://www.edweek-chat.org

Join us Wednesday, Aug. 24, 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time for a live online chat focusing on the needs of new teachers as we head into the new school year. Two recognized experts will take your questions on the challenges new teachers face and the resources and strategies they can use to overcome them. The chat seeks to benefit both new teachers and those who support them. GUESTS: Dr. Scott Mandel is the author of "The New-Teacher Toolbox: Proven Tips and Strategies for a Great First Year" (Zephyr Press) and founder and developer of the Teachers Helping Teachers Web site ( http://www.pacificnet.net/~mandel ). He has been an educator for more than 25 years and currently teaches gifted English and history at the Pacoima Middle School Television, Theatre, and Performing Arts Magnet in Los Angeles. Lisa Vahey is the director of the New Teachers Network, a teacher induction program administered by the University of Chicago's Center for Urban School Improvement. NTN offers coaching sessions, group meetings, and online support for first-year and second-year teachers in Chicago Public Schools. Submit advance questions here: http://www.edweek-chat.org/question.php3 No special equipment other than Internet access is needed for this chat. A complete transcript will be posted soon after the chat ends.