Aspire to Inspire

"Aspire to inspire before you expire"

Through my years at school, my teachers had a great impact in my life. Mr. Boler my science teacher in grade 6, my first year at my new school, taught me not to be afraid of new information and to accept my imagination to flow and discover.  Ms. Hunter my 7th grade English teacher was the first teacher to introduce me to books that were not girlish for my taste and since then I am a reader. Mr. Martin my social studies teacher in grade 8 was the funniest man alive, I learned that it is OK to make your students laugh and not to always be serious in class. In grades 9 and 10 Ms. Craig who taught an integrated course between history and English helped me discover my talent in writing poetry and my love for English. Through my IB years, all my teachers played an impact in my life in their own way. Through all those teachers' help, I am the person, the teacher and the educator whom I am today.

I have always wanted to make a difference in the world but being known and noted was not of any interest to me. Just as I was inspired through my youth it was my turn to inspire back. My aspiration to inspire became vivid when I found my calling for teaching. My classroom became my world to change. Every 6 weeks I have new students, thus those 6 weeks are my door to inspire. The idea of inspiration is not for the students to remember your name at the end or call you their favorite teacher, but to leave them with questions, thoughts, ideas that they may not have been exposed to before. I always leave myself time through the course to talk to them about poetry, books that have inspired me, controversial topics to get them formulate their own thoughts about it.
some of these topics, books, poems include:
Last lecture by Randy Paush
What is Freedom?
Quotes by Nelson Mandela
Gandhi
Mother Theresa
The road not taken by Robert Frost
and any inspiration book, quote or video I come across. I do not follow a pattern because each class is different and each day is a new day to be inspired and inspire in return.
I personally do not believe in coincidences, I believe that each person you meet along your way is meant to teach you something, thus I not only teach my students but learn from them too.

My dear friends,
I may walk one day and never come back
the world has many opportunities to be seized
do not hinder yourself with obstacles
but consider them tools to shape
allow yourself to learn
to love
to dream
take every step with confidence
knowing inside you there is a giant
be happy
shine around you
and above all
ENJOY!

A Great Welcome

Famous Treasured People of 581, 

I feel I need to start this blog by saying "Dear Diary." Instead I'll say how happy I am to be joining you all in this exciting journey or should I say life changing experience. Personally, I have never kept a diary or thought of keeping one before, but I guess there is a first time for everything. 

581 has attracted my attention since its first posting on the list of courses because it has come to my attention that I feel the need to reach out to teachers and be a significant part of their development. My thesis is jumping around between students and teachers and who should it be focused on to aid in technological development. Thus, when the syllabus was presented, I was very drawn to the topics to be discussed and I aspire great discussions coming along. 

The size of the class is exceptionally pleasing to me. I personally don't feel comfortable in big classes and it takes me a while to get used to the people around me. What was different in this class is not just the size, but the students who signed up for the course. I was very excited and happy to meet my fellow masters graduates to be who make me feel comfortable in my own skin. In addition to our diversity and our different background, culture and experience, the information brought by each one will be treasured. 

I was intrigued when Dr. Babb has explained how she taught German without knowing the language. It was my "aha" moment. She talked about how she had a reference point and simply coordinated the class, which was marvelous. This special incident opens up a whole new definition on education and how its not about the place, time, subject, curriculum or even credentials. I am interested to find more about that. 

I second Michael on his post about the concern but i'm quite sure everything will work out just fine and we will not miss any valuable time from this exceptional course. 

Well, I can't wait to see you again next week. I bid you a farewell and my favorite motto.

"aspire to inspire before you expire!"