Teaching is one of the most powerful concepts the earth has woven. It has the ability to change bad morals to good ones and transform people by filling them with aspirations and dreams. One would think that it only happens in the classroom, but not always, in fact, it happens anywhere. I’ve had great and bad teachers throughout my life, of many different shapes and forms, many of whom have inspired me to bring essential truths to my future classrooms:
Be tough in the face of adversity, but brave enough to be vulnerable.
Teaching ESL in Canada will bring a medley of people who have clammed up due to culture shock, ergo I yearn to ease them in their acculturation. I strive to nurture a safe environment within which students will open up once they deem me trustworthy, but to do so, I have to be vulnerable first. Vulnerability isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather the opposite, and a perpetual commitment to my own personal growth and others’.
Do not be intimidated by failure, and make new mistakes, as they are the boundaries of language acquisition.
More often than not, learning happens by making mistakes. They need to happen in order to recognize our weaknesses, once we identify them we can strengthen them. It’s important to remember that this month’s choices are next month’s results. Breaking the myth of the perfectionist is one of my goals, and encouraging students to become risk-takers all the while offering the proper support through tailor-made lesson plans is a close second.
Step out of that comfort zone with a head lifted high by confidence, but restrained with the weight of humility and modesty.
Anyone with a fragile language ego looks for a comfortable place in a learning environment, and while comfort is safe, it’s in the uncomfortable that learning truly happens. It will be my purpose to build their confidence high enough to venture on unfamiliar grounds. With my humouristic nature and passion, through interactions and friendly challenges, my recipe for growth and self-assurance can succeed.
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.” – BB King