Resource Teacher: Tess

As good teachers weave the fabric that joins them with students and subjects, the heart is the loom on which the threads are tied: the tension is held, the shuttle flies, and the fabric is stretched tight. Small wonder, then, that teaching tugs at the heart, opens the heart, even breaks the heart--and the more one loves teaching, the more heartbreaking it can be.

- Parker Palmer

Tess was born into a teaching culture, with her mother working as a teacher when she was growing up. She too is clearly a teacher at heart, conscientious and caring, viewing teaching as the finest of life's work. Her Resource Room is centrally located at the top of the stairs across from the office. It is a bright, well-organized, and a cheery place with large windows adorned with plants. Tess sees her greatest challenge as assisting the students to overcome low literacy. The view from her window is a busy street and a child development centre for those living in poverty and needing skills development. This centre serves as a constant reminder of why she is there. Students visit her room for a peppermint from one of her candy jars and then are enticed into looking at or borrowing a book. Tess capitalizes on this opportunity to have a little chat about their obligations to her, to themselves and to their teacher.

The Resource Room is usually buzzing with activity from small groups working on various projects under Tess's supervision or receiving extra help. A computer in the room gets little rest with various students coming and going to work on individualized program goals with selected educational software. At the back of the room, a large conference table remains in regular use by the teachers.

Tess treats each student as an individual, and respects them for who they are. She admits that sometimes she has felt stymied in her efforts to motivate and educate those who require more attention, but this does not deter her. She is not content with the status quo, always striving to do her best at providing sound programs for students and continually searching out new resources.