Enjoy The Ride

The most important lesson I would like for my students to learn is that learning is not about finding the right answers, but about asking the right questions.  Learning doesn't end at high school, college or graduate school.  Learning is a lifelong process,  but we can't seem to get it until well into adulthood.  Most of what we learn can't be found in a book or a website, but rather in what we experience in our journey of life.  Part of the reason our message is blurred is because so much of our focus is on grades, test scores and goals - basically on quantifiable outcomes.

My ELLs are so concerned about mastering English so they can pass their classes, make more friends and land that job, that all they want to do is fast forward and arrive at that certain spot.  Well, the truth is that we never truly arrive. Once we get to a certain place, we realize we still have a way to go.  No matter how proficient in English or how successful we are academically, we always have so much room for growth.  The more we learn, the more we realize we have so much more to learn. It's not about how much we learn, but about loving to learn and hungering for more.

Learning, like life, is a journey and I hope they learn sooner rather than later, that they must enjoy the ride.

#BestYearEver

Laugh Often

Image source: pixteller.com

A good friend in college once told me that I was a good audience because I laughed at everything. Actually, I don't really laugh at everything, but I do enjoy a good laugh and I really do make a good audience.  While I'm not exactly a comedian myself, I love to be around people who make me laugh. One of the reasons I fell in love with my husband was his sense of humor.  Early on in our marriage while we were still experiencing the growing pains of growing together as one, he would end a good fight by cracking a joke.  Humor got us through some tough times and it still does.

Humor has been a lifesaver, not only in my marriage and family, but also in my teaching career.  I do have to say that even though humor is a staple in my classroom, I am drawing a blank as to retelling a specific story about a time in my career where humor played a part.  I hesitated in writing this post, and am therefore a day late, but all I can say is that I am utterly grateful for humor.  In my class, students know that they can relax, let their hair down and usually get a good laugh.  We don't laugh at each other, but we do laugh with each other often and lots of learning goes on as we get a good laugh. 

Some of those funny stories will eventually come to me and I'll write about them when the time comes, but for now I can tell you that laughter gets me through the bumps and makes my life worthwhile and I'm so grateful for it.

#BestYearEver

A Moment To Remember

There are numerous memorable moments that fuel the fire to continue on my quest to empower young people on their journey of life.  Interestingly enough, they usually happen on days when I am at wits end, second guessing myself and wondering why in the world I do what I do. One of the most touching moments for me happened a couple of years ago.  It was the first day of the second semester for two of my Asian newcomers and there were some changes that needed to be made to their schedule.   Because their English was so limited, I knew I had to change my own schedule for the day so I could stick around and assist them with their second semester schedule changes and take them to their new classes.  Even though I don't speak their language, care and compassion don't need translation.  As I was dropping them off at class and saying good-bye for the day, one of them gave me a hug and mumbled something that sounded like "you saved my life."  I wasn't sure that I had understood her, so I ask her to repeat.  What she actually said was "You same my mom".  She was trying to tell me that I was like her mother.  Wow! I was floored and almost bawled. While I always refer to my students as "my kids", I never expected to hear her say that I was like a mother to her. At that point, I was indeed second guessing my effectiveness as an ESL Teacher.  She and her brother were my first non-Hispanic newcomers and I was immensely challenged.  When I heard those words, I knew I was doing something right.

I still find teaching newcomers very challenging, especially in light of the rigor and depth of the secondary curriculum and the demands placed on these students by standardized tests which must be administered even in their first year.  But after that moment, I knew that I was exactly where I need to be.  I'm not only their teacher, but also their advocate, counselor and cheerleader as they walk the difficult journey of earning a high school diploma while learning a new language and adapting to a new culture.  I love what I do. It's truly an honor and a privilege.

#BestYearEver

To Know That You Know Nothing

Technology has come a long way since the early days of my teaching career when we only had PCs in a computer lab and the business education classrooms.  I entered the teaching profession as a Business Education teacher back in 1996 as schools were starting to bring the Internet into the classroom.  In fact, during my first year, we only had one computer with Internet and it was an old Mac with a dial-up connection. The following year, my old Macs were replaced with Windows 95 and a T1 line was installed, but it was limited and service was slow. Fast forward almost 20 years and I'm now an ESL teacher at a 1:1 district where every student and teacher is issued a Macbook Air. Internet is not only fast and reliable, but it is also expected as technology is seamlessly integrated into every aspect of teaching and learning.

Technology is awesome, as it creates unlimited opportunities for exploration, discovery and growth, but above all, to me it is inspiring.  The great philosopher Socrates said, "To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge."  While technology as we know it didn't exist back in his day, that same message rings true today as we attempt to keep up with all the latest tools and gadgets.  The more I immerse myself in technology, the more I discover that I have much more to learn.

While I have to admit that at times it is exhausting, it is certainly very inspiring. In terms of my classroom teaching, technology has taught me that it is not about finding all the answers, but it is about asking the right questions. That's precisely the message I convey to my students every day.  The possibilities are endless and the more we explore, the more we realize there's so much more to discover.  It's like going up in space and realizing we never reach the top.  I find that very inspiring.

#BestYearEver

I Was Born To Make An Impact

I'm all about motivational quotes, so when asked about my favorite quote, it's really hard narrowing it down to one.  In ESL class, motivational quotes are integrated into every unit.  Whenever possible, we read biographies and autobiographies about people who have overcome adversity and have come out ahead.  As we discuss the lives of those individuals, I take the opportunity to preach, if you will, and offer a message of hope and encouragement. I also select motivational quotes related to someone or something we are studying, I write it on the board and leave it on the announcements section of our learning program so that it stares at them as they are getting their homework assignments or uploading their work. I also use these quotes to launch them from my classroom.  ELLs need all this extra motivation, but then again so do I.

Of all the quotes and verses that I read and share in class the one that has inspired my students and me the most is this is one pictured here. Last spring, a friend of mine posted these words on Facebook and I knew I had to share them with my students.  But rather than leaving the quote up for a day or a week, I left it on there for months.  Not only was it on their screen, but we also recited the verse as they were launched from my classroom. We changed it a bit and replaced all the you's with I's.  I never heard anyone say they were impacting them, but I know they were. Recently, one of my former students asked if we still recited the quote and we don't....actually not yet.

As I'm writing this post, I realized that I need to bring this quote back and start that routine again, especially with my new students.  While some students rolled their eyes a bit, especially at first, I know it was not in vain.  

So I'm thankful for the opportunity to reflect on these words.  I hope they will bless those who read them as much as they inspire me, especially on difficult days.  We, indeed, have purpose, our story is important, our dreams counts, our voice matters because we were born to make an impact.    

#BestYearEver

WYSIWYG

Source: welovewysiwyg.com

What are my strengths? As I pondered on this question, I immediately thought of a post I wrote back in September where I listed my top three strengths: (1) outgoing personality and easygoing temperament, (2) honesty and transparency and (3) flexibility and adaptability.  I also need to add "relentlessly optimistic" to that list.  I am usually able to find some good even in the worst of circumstances.

I'm thankful for all these traits as they have been tremendously beneficial to me socially and professionally, but I'm also thankful for my weaknesses. I'm as imperfect as they come and it's my imperfections that keep me grounded.  I'm also very honest and transparent about my imperfections and that openness creates a sense of safety and trust in my classroom.  Students are not afraid to goof up, to ask any question, to admit they are clueless when everyone.else is catching on.  My classroom is like a safe zone.  I'm not there to provide all the answers but to empower them to ask the right questions and point them to the tools that will enable to find those answers for themselves. Furthermore, they need to know that no one in this world, no matter how bright or how proficient in English, will know all the answers or have it all together.  They are reminded that it is okay to be imperfect because we are perfected by our flaws - and I practice what I preach.

So, whether you see me from afar or you see me up close, I'm the same.  No pretense or shame.  I will tell it like it is and the significant people in my life appreciate that WYSIWYG feature in me.  And for that I am grateful.

#BestYearEver

The Nicest Gifts

Webster defines a gift as something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation.  There's no mention of gift wrapping or special occasion.  Most certainly not done out of obligation, but completely voluntarily.

As I thought of what I would write about today, my first thoughts were of all the nice Christmas gifts I've received over the years. From cheesy little teacher gifts to elegant well-thought out gifts to lovely ornaments to yummy homemade treats, my thoughts were all about the Christmas holiday and all the gifting that goes on in schools during that time of year.  However, as I reviewed Webster's definition I focused on the word "voluntarily" and my thoughts drifted away from the holiday.  See, no matter how fun and joyous the Christmas season is, there's an underlying sense of obligation during that time of year.  While I never feel obligated to give anyone a Christmas gift, the season itself compels us to engage in gifting.  It is voluntary, but then again it's not.

As my thoughts moved away from the Christmas holiday, I reflected on all those random, spontaneous and completely unsolicited gifts I have received over the years.  So what was the nicest gift that I've received from students, parents or colleagues?  Well, I have one in each category.  From students, the winner is a note from a student who was deathly afraid to make oral presentations and now is a confident and effective public speaker.  She wrote "Mrs. Gonzalez, you are amazing" because I helped her overcome her fear. Actually, it's the student that is amazing - I just helped her discover it.  From parents, it was a homemade Indian meal. Their willingness to share a part of their heritage with me was very touching and confirmed that all the cultural celebration I was doing in class was capturing their son's heart and mind.  Lastly, during my first week as a teacher, back in 1996, I was not only embarking on a new career, but I had just moved to a new state.  We temporarily moved into my in-laws' place before moving into our permanent home. So, first week on the job, I was also moving and unpacking boxes. On the first day, my principal introduced me to a number of teachers at lunch and announced that I just moved.  The next day one of the teachers showed up at school with a couple of bags of groceries and a complete meal for that evening.  At that point, I barely remembered meeting her and was floored by her kindness and generosity.  Needless to say, we were great friends from that day on.

It is moments like these that warm my heart and keep me going.

#BestYearEver