I’ve written many articles informing readers that doing volunteer work was a path to happiness and inner peace. Then I actually tried it. From the Nov. 2012 issue:
Is This Worth It?
I’ve written many articles informing readers that doing volunteer work was a path to happiness and inner peace. Then I actually tried it. From the Nov. 2012 issue:
Is This Worth It?
I connected with you on this article even I don’t teach volunteerly. I struggle everyday with my students to encourage them to become active learners. I teach third grade and I am practicing pure land buddhism for a short time. I am on stress everyday. Therefore meditation is the only thing that calms my concerns with my students. This week I received a student like Ramon from your article. He is in third grade, but he is supposed to be in fourth grade. Miguel cannot even read a letter not even in his native language. I know that it is not Miguel’s fault. I must understand that there are other factors that are affecting Miguel’s instruction. However the first day of school for Miguel was not the right one. When I saw him in my class, I was very strict with him because I saw Miguel’s bad behavior last year when he was in another third grade classroom. Nowadays, he is learning how to read and he comes to school with a big smile on his face. I apologized with him because I missinterpreted his bad behavior from last year. Like Miguel I have 10 more students without any basic skills in third grade. Those are your future students if the system does not realize that we need less students in each classroom and effective teachers that they will have the compassion and love to teach students like Miguel.Thank you for your article because I will get energy to continue teaching with love, compassion, and forgiveness.
O’Ferral
brenli@aol.com
Hi Brenda,Thanks so much for writing. I can only imagine what it must be like to teach full-time to kids who are so far behind. They’re lucky to have such a compassionate teacher. All the best, Sara