#BestYearEver

Okay, so I’m coming clean and confessing.  My name is Anabel Gonzalez and I am a Twitter addict.   I joined Twitter back in 2010, but never really did anything with it - mostly because I didn't understand it.   Every now and then, I’d go in there and browse the posts, but I just wasn't into it.  However, last spring it finally clicked and I realized Twitter was the perfect tool for professional development and expanding my PLN.  So, I unfollowed anyone or anything that wasn't education-related, started joining chats and learned how to effectively use hashtags.  While I am still not an expert, I must say I've come a long way.

One of my favorites on Twitter is @edutopia.  Edutopia.org is a website published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation.  It features tips, strategies and tools for teachers, administrators and parents.  It’s a wonderful resource and it has been tremendously instrumental in my professional growth.  This summer, they started using the #BestYearEver hashtag and I have found it to be incredibly motivating.  I use it often on Twitter, but it’s also become my personal motto and it has launched me off to a great start.  As the saying goes, “attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference”.  Teaching has its great challenges, but it also has its great rewards.  This year, I choose to focus on the positive aspects of my life.  I choose to focus on the good things, little or big, and not be dragged down by negativity.  These are tough times for educators, especially in North Carolina, but our children deserve nothing but our very best.  

As an ESL teacher, I aim not only to enable students to gain or improve English language proficiency, but I also want to empower them to become fearless learners.  They will have enormous challenges in their academic and vocational careers, much more so than most of the native English speakers, but I hope that I can plant seeds of confidence and perseverance so that they will be able to overcome the obstacles they will encounter and become productive, successful and contributing members of society.  

Until next time.....keep reaching for the stars and keep believing it will be our #BestYearEver!