Changing lives as a teacher

Yesterday, I was searching for information in order to prepare my classes for today. And I just happen to run accross with a news in the New York Times, about Educational Experiences that change a life.

You have to read it.

Few things are so touching and motivating for a students, that the words that a teacher can say.

And it is true. I don't remember all my teachers, of course I remember my first teacher Mrs. Rosa, and I won't forget her.

But at the same time, I still remember many situations in which I could learn something amazing, and it all became real because of a teacher.

It is true that a teacher can change the life of a students, for good or for bad.

But as a teacher, I wonder if I am doing that on my students, if I am giving those educational experiences that change lives. I feel that I haven't done so much. It is not that I don't want, but I feel that I am not changing the life of anybody. Probably, not the way I want.

I can't judge myself so hard, because of course that I am helping my students everyday, but I would like that someday, one student will come to my class, and he or she will tell me: "Teacher, do you remember when you taught us this ... well, that made me think and then I decided to take a decision in my life", or "thanks to you, I chose the right way in life", or "I am the way I am because of you".

Dreaming is easy, actions are harder. I hope that day will come soon.

London 2012

It would be a dream to be in London. At least for me, travelling to that wonderful city would be awesome. Maybe, some day, I will travel and I will know that great city and country (Greetings to UK).

London 2012 is near. The Olimpic Games will be a good chance to work with your students about sports. Remember that sports is one of the interests of the teenagers. In addition, Sports are the best way to have a healthy life.

I am really waiting for the next Olimpic Games. Use this chance to work vocabulary and grammar with your students, they will really like the idea of learning about sports.

Source: Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcwiGIGMjSg)

About to give up? Read this

Maybe, you have felt this. You wake up in the morning, and then you know that you have to go to work, but even you know you have to get up, in someway, you don't feel doing it. Even worst, you feel hating your job.

It happens. I know you love teaching, but there are days that you hate your career. It is normal. But when this situation seems to be everyday, then you need to do something about it. Before you give up.

Try doing one or two of the following things in order to start your day in a better way.

• Maybe you are stressed. So try to relax, try hearing relaxing music everyday, even if it is 30 minutes, while you are resting.
• Give time to read a good book.
• Stop watching tv, or at least, don't watch too much. Disconnect yourself from the world.
• Do you like paiting? Try paiting, even if it is something simple, it will help you to have some fun time.
• Give time to think. Yes! to think. Think about you, about your family, about your life. Think about your future, because the more you think, the more you will see that your life is great.
• Start a new project. In your house, or in your school. Try doing something new. Even if it sounds exhausting, try a new responsibility. Who knows?, maybe you will like it. (if not, then just don't do it anymore)
• Try writing. It can be a tale, a short story, or maybe the last bestseller.
• Give a try to a new restaurant, or to a new dish.
• Visit new places. Plan your weekend to visit a new city.
• Buy new ingredients, or just new products. Products you have never tried before, or you wouldn't try.

The problem is not your work, it is your life. Try doing new things in your life and you will see that you will wake up happier and expecting new things for you to come.

What to choose? work or personal life?

OK, I know what you will say, why I am not posting periodically as before. The truth is that my time now is limited, and I don't have enough.

I think it was last year that I took a decision. If giving my whole life to my work, or just giving enough to do a good work.

You might criticize me. But I chose the second one. It is not that I hate my job or that I don't want to give more. It is just... after working already many years, I realized that I was feeling burnt out. So I took the decision to give my whole strenght and energy to work during work hours. So I could give the rest of my life, to my life, to my family.

But something funny happened. That even I was giving the whole time for work, I didn't have enought time to do all I had to do for my work.

Funny, because at the end,  I had to give time of my life, of my family to my work anyway.

For that reason, I noticed that I was not doing a good work.

Even though, I give time to prepare material and preparing all I need for my classes, I try to give time to me and my family anyway.

That is why I don't have enough time to my blog.

Do you think it was a good decision? Do you think we can separate work from personal life?

In your case, what do you do?

You can leave some comments about this. It seems that in this case, more quantity means more quality.