I’m going to do it! I’m going to start my own business... I don't know what yet but I have been inspired. During my teaching today I ran across a book about kids who have started their own businesses and I thought “hey! If they can do it, so can I." And so the idea was born. I shared the thought with my students upon which I got many helpful suggestions on where to start. One student said “you should make peanut butter and then give me free peanut butter for life." another helpful idea was blurted out, “You should make a power plant and create electro-magnetic stuff." The suggestion that really hit home was logical and was presented though the loudest and most powerful burst of energy..."YOU SHOULD WORK AT WALMART!" I’m glad my students support my new idea. With all of their suggestions in my pocket I prepare to get started.
More seriously I’m thinking about (in order of interest) cultural children's books, helpful classroom tools that express cultural awareness, jewelry, wall hangings, scrapbooking cards.
It has just begun... I'll keep you posted!
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Worrying and the "what if" complex
Why? Why do we feel like we NEED something to worry about? Walk with me for a moment on this(figuratively speaking)We worry about money, we worry about looks, we worry about whether or no the world is headed to an end because the Mayans and some old guy have "predicted" doom!!! We worry about if the direction we are going in life is going to lead us to the place we want to be. That one hits home for me. I don't mean to sound insensitive nor do I mean to sound radical, I simply wonder why? Which would be the title of a book if I decided to write it... the content of the book would encompass the idea of the "what if" complex which many of us suffer from and it provides fertile ground for worries to grow!!!(Pardon my unnecessary amount of punctuation... but, don’t worry about it!)
In order to avoid a complicated round about trip through my mind, I will try and focus on the "what if" complex for the remainder of this post...
Do you constantly wonder "what if" the choices I'm making now are going to inhibit me from reaching my goals in the future? Or how about "what if life" throws me a curve ball and I have to refigure my whole life focus? Or "what if" things don’t work out the way that I have planed in order to reach my goals for becoming the person I want to be? Then you may be suffering from what has recently been discovered as the "what if" complex. "is there no cure to end my suffering" you ask(perhaps less dramatically...perhaps not) LOOK NO FURTHER.. the answer lies in this one word.. ok maybe two... well, actually Im going to reveal a word and then I’m going to follow it up with many other words just to clarify. BELIEVE! There it is ladies and gentlemen. Believe. When you have something to believe in and you have faith that your life is not something that can be completely controlled you can start to relieve some of the worry-stress.
There are uncontrollable things in life that happen, there are uncontrollable things in life that don't happen, so set goals, reach for your dreams, become passionate about something, and believe that you will survive. There are many different roads to happiness but if you have a strong vehicle ( that would represent yourself) in which to drive these roads, believe that you will overcome any obstacles that redirect and slow down your pursuit for happiness.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Jesus Loves the little Children... All the children of the world
Many people come in and out of our lives but there are those who leave a lasting impression on our soul and greatly impact our outlook on life. I have found myself feeling blessed to be surrounded by the students I have been working with in Greeley. These students are refugees from Burma, Kenya, Somali, Myanmar, and some from Thailand. The lives of these students are truly inspiring! To imagine the things that many of them have been through seems truly unfair for anyone especially at their age. What inspires me is this: despite what they have been through and their obvious cultural differences, their amazing dedication to learn and to get an education in American culture shows on a daily basis. Each day I work with them I find myself being drawn to learning about them and yearning to provide them with the education that they deserve.
Sounds like flowers and rainbows huh...
My goal for this blog is to be honest so I want to say this as well... although the work I am doing is rewarding and a blessing, there are many challenges that come with it! Some of the students cannot write their name and have never been in school before. They come from cultures where discipline is considered to be a good beating. There is such a range of English proficiency, cultures, and school exposure that it is constantly an upward climb to reach each student.
I have taken this opportunity as a learning experience. My faith in these students is so deeply rooted that I feel as though I have found my niche in the teaching world. To use the blessings that I have in my life by blessing these students is a desire that has consumed many of my thoughts and is strongly directing my pursuit in my career. What a great feeling.
All in all, as much as these students need me, I find myself also needing them!
Sounds like flowers and rainbows huh...
My goal for this blog is to be honest so I want to say this as well... although the work I am doing is rewarding and a blessing, there are many challenges that come with it! Some of the students cannot write their name and have never been in school before. They come from cultures where discipline is considered to be a good beating. There is such a range of English proficiency, cultures, and school exposure that it is constantly an upward climb to reach each student.
I have taken this opportunity as a learning experience. My faith in these students is so deeply rooted that I feel as though I have found my niche in the teaching world. To use the blessings that I have in my life by blessing these students is a desire that has consumed many of my thoughts and is strongly directing my pursuit in my career. What a great feeling.
All in all, as much as these students need me, I find myself also needing them!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
LOST
Current state of mind = consumed by Lost. You know the television show where people are on an island and everyone is suspicious and everyone is dramatic, the line “don’t tell me what I can and cannot do!” is repeated a number of times by a number of different characters. Not to mention the fact that there are countless issues and questions going on all at once. Furthermore, every single person on this island has a dark and twisty life story that is reveled little by little, accompanied by intense music and frames of intense looks! Whew! Just talking about it makes me anxious. Perhaps this uncontrollable feeling is due to my personality, or Hollywood is better at what they do then I would like to admit.
Why write about Lost? What does this have to do with teaching? Ah excellent question reader! Although Lost is not directly correlated with teaching there are a striking number of similarities that I’m sure, to some, seem obvious however I choose to reveal them for those who do not see the parallels as clearly…
Similarity #1: Island = a heavily Vegetated/ slightly creepy representation of a classroom
Let’s think of the island as a classroom, and the island inhabitants the students. Immediately after landing (or should I say crashing) on the island the strong, leadership personalities stood out and took control. As a teacher students who have these characteristics will stand out because they are born leaders! But let us not forget or pass by the students who do not stand out. Some of the students are the quiet type but have just as much to contribute to the survival and success of the group. Much like the inhabitant of the island each student has their part and each student can contribute to the classroom.
Similarity #2 Twisty background
Not to hard to make this connection! Each and every student has a story just as each and every character on Lost has a story. Students’ lives may not be as dark, twisty, dramatic or ironic, but each student has a story. It is because of their background that they enter the classroom with a preconceived idea of how to approach this new environment. Some students are more confused than others and every single student will react in a different way. It is important to recognize this as a teacher and get the students to work together and use and recognize each other’s strengths.
Similarity # 3 What the F is going on here?
This similarity is self explanatory in the fact that I know in my teaching career I will be saying to myself “what the F is going on here!” But it doesn’t end here, many of the questions that surface while watching Lost, are answered after some patience and persistence to continue watching. By continuing to watch and observe your students and be understanding, questions that you have will be answered. Don’t give up. Keep on going, you will survive!
These are just a few! I hope I have gotten your mind ‘a flowin’ and that you too can come up with your own connections to these silly TV shows that seem to draw us in and seemingly consume our lives!
Why write about Lost? What does this have to do with teaching? Ah excellent question reader! Although Lost is not directly correlated with teaching there are a striking number of similarities that I’m sure, to some, seem obvious however I choose to reveal them for those who do not see the parallels as clearly…
Similarity #1: Island = a heavily Vegetated/ slightly creepy representation of a classroom
Let’s think of the island as a classroom, and the island inhabitants the students. Immediately after landing (or should I say crashing) on the island the strong, leadership personalities stood out and took control. As a teacher students who have these characteristics will stand out because they are born leaders! But let us not forget or pass by the students who do not stand out. Some of the students are the quiet type but have just as much to contribute to the survival and success of the group. Much like the inhabitant of the island each student has their part and each student can contribute to the classroom.
Similarity #2 Twisty background
Not to hard to make this connection! Each and every student has a story just as each and every character on Lost has a story. Students’ lives may not be as dark, twisty, dramatic or ironic, but each student has a story. It is because of their background that they enter the classroom with a preconceived idea of how to approach this new environment. Some students are more confused than others and every single student will react in a different way. It is important to recognize this as a teacher and get the students to work together and use and recognize each other’s strengths.
Similarity # 3 What the F is going on here?
This similarity is self explanatory in the fact that I know in my teaching career I will be saying to myself “what the F is going on here!” But it doesn’t end here, many of the questions that surface while watching Lost, are answered after some patience and persistence to continue watching. By continuing to watch and observe your students and be understanding, questions that you have will be answered. Don’t give up. Keep on going, you will survive!
These are just a few! I hope I have gotten your mind ‘a flowin’ and that you too can come up with your own connections to these silly TV shows that seem to draw us in and seemingly consume our lives!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
The First One
As this is my first post I feel a bit nervous. I feel like this is a literal representation of my honest thoughts coming out and I pre-apologize for any confusion they might bring! My philosophy on teaching is hopeful and exciting, it is complete and yet not concrete( sounds like I'm writing an Alanis Morissette song). I know that my ideas are flexible and I am confident in my abilities and my strengths to fulfill my goals and aspirations. Lets get down and dirty.
The Point
To be passionate: Passion and Faith go hand in hand. To believe in something is to be passionate about it. Do you believe in what you teach... do you teach what you believe? Simple questions that require a multitude of thought. Life is what you make it, believe in something, create meaning, and be all that you can be (the army slogan?? NO! the teacher slogan!)
Sencerly,
The future of teaching :)
The Point
To be passionate: Passion and Faith go hand in hand. To believe in something is to be passionate about it. Do you believe in what you teach... do you teach what you believe? Simple questions that require a multitude of thought. Life is what you make it, believe in something, create meaning, and be all that you can be (the army slogan?? NO! the teacher slogan!)
Sencerly,
The future of teaching :)
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