We start our college semester on Monday. I am reminded that, at one level, my job consists of simply helping the students see that I care. That idea, of needing to care, is something that I believe we have around the country, but there are forces at work that lie to us, suggesting that caring is useless.
Sometimes, the message is that caring is for weak people or soft people. Other times, the idea of caring is considered something for suckers…that the really savvy people find the quickest way to cut corners, even to cheat and lie their way through things. I think the saddest message is that we are often told that caring doesn’t matter, that it does no good. This last one worries me the most for the country.
The message is insidious and contains some element of truth. You look around and often it DOES seem that if you care, if you put your heart and soul into something, it will do no good. Or worse, others will get ahead of you by drifting along, just getting by.
I hope you don’t believe that. Instead, continue to approach each day and each task with a zest for life. You may think the task stupid or beneath you or a waste of time or not worth the effort. REJECT that thought. Instead, with each thing you do, consider that it is one more step forward in giving yourself to the task at hand in order to achieve excellence.
In the end, I know the truth is that others are watching. If you are the rare one who gives the effort, the one who cares, it will be noticed. Never forget that it is the rare thing that is most highly valued. Be that rare one.
And hey, if you are one of my incoming students, get ready to have a professor who puts his heart and soul into the work. I’m certainly not perfect and I have my down days, my off moments, but I will do all I can to give you my best all the time. The following statements by some recent students tell me that caring is noticed. I bet in your own life, in your own work, someone is watching you too. I hope they see you in that same pursuit of an excellent life just like I am:
I just wanted to thank you for a great summer semester. I really enjoyed every bit of it. When I first started this class it was a bit challenging, and I thought it was too complex for me. But when I actually got into it it was a great experience. I am also grateful for the grade that I received because I thought I was going to get a B or a C in the class. Hard work does pay off because I was determined to do well.
I hope at least I did not made you doubt on my work during these 10 weeks. I have learned a lot not only from history, but responsibility and hard work…even if these were the most stressful 10 weeks. 🙂 I thank you for the assignments and lessons given to me.
I can’t thank you enough, Professor Creasman. I will for sure take this challenging class as a learning experience and learn how to better balance my responsibilities in the future. I wish I had taken this class at an easier time in my life because I really enjoyed the content and especially in the way you presented it. You have a great sense of humor and a way with words that makes learning fun. Professors like you inspire me to do better. You truly have made an impact in my life.
Just wanted to say thank you so much for being one of the best teachers I have ever had and at Valencia. You really are the true definition of a teacher who cares and pushes their students. I just want to thank you for pushing me; now I know I am capable of many things because I was able to make it through this hard class with your help.
I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for taking the time to educate us students. I enjoyed the class and have definitely learned a lot on numerous subjects in history that I was unfamiliar with. I wish I had more time to focus on the class, especially when there is a professor that actually cares and is involved as you are.