"Can I handle the seasons of my life?" Dixie Chicks is currently playing in my mind. I've realized it's my favorite music to ponder life to.
Today I think I've had another epiphany. I really want to teach, but now I've learned most of all I really want to learn from my kids. I cannot wait to step out of my own shoes and step into one of my children's. The best part of teaching is knowing the potential of each of your students to change the world one day.
First of all if you haven't, go right now and watch the movie "Freedom Writers". Second, I mention this because I saw the movie in theaters and was inspired by the bravery of each of the students to change. Today Erin Gruwell came to my University to speak. I find myself clinging to each word, hearing how grateful she was to have had her life changed by these students. I realized that is how teachers should teach, by learning from their students. Each student began to love learning by learning about things that they had an actually connection to. I got this same joy when I was asked to help with a shabbat service at my Hillel. I used to think reading from the torah wasn't very useful and sometimes believed judaism didn't connect to me. Once I really found a connection between me and the portion of the torah I was studying that week I fell in love. I could believe I was traveling the journey of the jewish people during passover. These ways of connecting are what make learning worthwhile.
Not only did Erin change my outlook and increase my excitement towards teaching, she was also an extremely nice human being. I bought her memoir, "Teach With Your Heart", and she spoke to me about how nervous she had been. She signed my book "follow your heart"...how perfect! She even took a picture with my friend and I!
I also remembered 500 Days of Summer is one of my favorite movies. Zooey Deschanel may have something to do with that...I mean look at her..
Also Emily and the gang lovingly silly stringed me. Thanks guys.
Today I think I've had another epiphany. I really want to teach, but now I've learned most of all I really want to learn from my kids. I cannot wait to step out of my own shoes and step into one of my children's. The best part of teaching is knowing the potential of each of your students to change the world one day.
First of all if you haven't, go right now and watch the movie "Freedom Writers". Second, I mention this because I saw the movie in theaters and was inspired by the bravery of each of the students to change. Today Erin Gruwell came to my University to speak. I find myself clinging to each word, hearing how grateful she was to have had her life changed by these students. I realized that is how teachers should teach, by learning from their students. Each student began to love learning by learning about things that they had an actually connection to. I got this same joy when I was asked to help with a shabbat service at my Hillel. I used to think reading from the torah wasn't very useful and sometimes believed judaism didn't connect to me. Once I really found a connection between me and the portion of the torah I was studying that week I fell in love. I could believe I was traveling the journey of the jewish people during passover. These ways of connecting are what make learning worthwhile.
Not only did Erin change my outlook and increase my excitement towards teaching, she was also an extremely nice human being. I bought her memoir, "Teach With Your Heart", and she spoke to me about how nervous she had been. She signed my book "follow your heart"...how perfect! She even took a picture with my friend and I!
I also remembered 500 Days of Summer is one of my favorite movies. Zooey Deschanel may have something to do with that...I mean look at her..
Also Emily and the gang lovingly silly stringed me. Thanks guys.
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