Many of the world's problems come down to a lack of education, love, and compassion/understanding. This truth hit me during the spring of 2000, as I sat in my sociology class at the University of Houston. I was working on my bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising, and suddenly, creating commercials or writing speeches for corporations didn't seem as appealing anymore. The desire to do something with my life that would make a positive impact overwhelmed me. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to change the world just yet, but I couldn't rest until I figured out what part I would play. Then, I realized something. There was one career that would put my communication skills to good use, and it would encompass everything that I valued: I would become a teacher.
I obtained my certification in English, Language Arts & Reading, grades 4-8, and it was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. Just like you, Parents, I look into the eyes of these junior high students, and I struggle to put into words how much hope I have for their future. I want to give them the skills and knowledge that they will need to be successful in a world that will be (and already is) quite different from the one in which we grew up. I try to do it in a way that will make them feel capable, valued, and excited. I want them to read everything they can get their hands on, so they can understand what makes us human. In those pages, they will hopefully find wisdom, empathy, tolerance and enlightenment that they never would have known otherwise. Also, I really want my students to know this: your thoughts are significant - they matter. I will teach you how great writing and effective communication lets your voice be heard. The right words can give hope and heal others. They can share groundbreaking ideas and propel us forward as a society. They can expose the truth in such a way that when millions read it, they will never be the same again. Thank you for entrusting me to be your child's teacher, mentor and guide during this crucial time in his/her life. It is a responsibility I do not take lightly; it is one I take on with honor and enthusiasm. |
Recommended Videos for Parents
How Children Succeed - Paul ToughRead his book How Children Succeed.
“Drop the flashcards—grit, character, and curiosity matter even more than cognitive skills. A persuasive wake-up call.”--People Why do some children succeed while others fail? The story we usually tell about childhood and success is the one about intelligence: success comes to those who score highest on tests, from preschool admissions to SATs. But in How Children Succeed, Paul Tough argues that the qualities that matter more have to do with character: skills like perseverance, curiosity, optimism, and self-control. |
The Puzzle of Motivation - Daniel PinkRead his book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us
Most people believe that the best way to motivate is with rewards like money—the carrot-and-stick approach. That's a mistake, says Daniel H. Pink (author of To Sell Is Human: The Surprising Truth About Motivating Others). In this provocative and persuasive new book, he asserts that the secret to high performance and satisfaction-at work, at school, and at home—is the deeply human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world. |
Recommended Books for ParentsA Guide to Meaningful and Significant Parenting by David Abudram
How to Talk so Teens Will Listen and Listen so Teens Will Talk by Adele Faber
College (Un)Bound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students by Jeffrey J. Salingo
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