Martin Luther King, Jr.. (n.d.). BrainyQuote.com. Retrieved January 13, 2015, from BrainyQuote.com
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s, birthday is approaching, and this week’s #YourEduStory prompt, suggested by yours truly, asks us to consider how we will make the world a better place. Of course, there are lots of ways to do this, and I practice many of them. I donate to charity. I recycle. I take short showers to save water. I vote. I don’t drive if I can walk (rare in the L.A area, but I try). You get the picture.
All of these are great habits, and I plan to continue practicing them, but they are not much compared to what I can do inside the classroom. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to change the future every single day. Some may believe this statement to be an exaggeration. I don’t think it is.
When we interact with another individual, our words, our attitude, and our behavior convey a great deal of meaning. They reveal our thoughts and attitudes, and their emotional impact can be significant. That impact is magnified when teachers are working with students. What we say and do affects them deeply and, naturally, depending on what our words and actions are, those effects may be positive or negative.
As a media specialist, I am lucky to work not only with students, but with their teachers. I am working to make the world a better place by trying to ensure all my interactions with both students and teachers are positive and empowering. It is my goal to help them realize their own potential, whether I am working with second graders struggling to complete a project on an iPad or teachers learning to use a technology tool to engage their students. When teachers are self-assured and empowered, students benefit. When students know they can succeed, they are more willing to take risks and persevere until they meet their goals. They will grow up to be better, happier, more confident people. That is what I want for them. And for the world.
