Most of us begin working because we need to pay the bills, and that need is a strong enough motivation for a while. At some point, however, we realize our job means much more than a paycheck. The author of our book says that in her experience very few teachers are “in it” just for the money. The best teachers are those that have a strong love of service; as a result, the work we do extends beyond the classroom and lives on well beyond tha last day of school. There is no doubt that everyone remembers a special teacher or perhaps several special teachers in our lives. Miss Frances Mallory, who taught me high school English, continues to live on in my memory. She was very structured, very strict  and there was no room for nonsense in her classroom as evidenced by the day that my friend John William Walton was crawling around on the floor looking for his contact lenses. When Miss Frances inquired why he was on the floor, he explained what he was doing. Miss Frances, without blinking, said very quietly, “John William get back in your seat. Unless my memory has failed me, which I doubt, you do not wear contact lenses.” And the class went on without further disruption.
 
Miss Frances knew all of us that well. Good teachers stay in close contact with their students, checking on their progress, asking how things are at home, congratulating them on their big and small achievements. How much better will we be in our work if we engage actively with the people we serve? Take 7 minutes today to develop a love of service by making personal contact with your students.