Just a Big Little Kid

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Just a Big Little Kid tells the story of Tom’s journey to becoming a successful, impacting teacher. This, however, was no easy road. Initially, Tom is unsure of what he wants to do with his life. He decides to pursue a career in teaching because of his love for children and desire to positively impact their lives. However, a rigorous college education and difficult student teaching experience creates much tension inside of him between the relationships he wants to develop with students and the stiff, formal role others expected him to have. Moving to California with his wife, Tom begins his career as a fifth grade teacher at Vista Grande Elementary School. Without realizing it, he establishes the stiff philosophy he had been taught in college and put walls up between himself and his students. At the same time, he greatly wants to have an impact in their lives but just doesn’t know how. Armed with advice from his new friend and colleague, Bill, Tom began to focus on sharing his life with his students. This allowed the love inside of him to flow out towards his students. They felt respected and were eager to learn the curriculum as well as many lifelong lessons from Mr. Hall’s stories. Tom always encouraged his students and worked with them individually while teaching them the curriculum. His ultimate mission was to help the students be everything they could be, even at the expense of a quiet, orderly classroom. He was an active participant in all their activities, especially P.E. During his three years in California, Tom developed close relationships with many of his students. He had amazing impacts in their lives as he taught them and helped them through problems they had. His students grew in maturity as well as academically. Tom wrote this book to show teachers everywhere how important relationships, encouragement, and individual quality time are for a successful classroom setting. He wants to encourage teachers to let the big little kid inside of them come out because then they can really have an impact. This book is a great gift for a new teacher or anyone interested in entering the field of education.