Giving Thanks for Teachers that Go Above and Beyond

Today, I would just like to thank all of the teachers out there that truly go above and beyond.  When I was growing up, I had teachers that were kind and caring in and out of the classroom.  Til this day, I still keep in touch with some of my elementary and high school teachers.  These are teachers that truly made a difference in my life.  They truly become a part of you and you learn to appreciate them for their efforts and time.

When I was in the teaching realm, I tried to be a difference in my students lives, as well.  There are so many students in today's world that are not receiving the proper emotional support, or support for their educations at all.  Many students are in need of someone positive to talk to, or simply to say that they are doing a good job.  They aren't receiving the proper guidance or etiquette at home, either.  It is amazing to see what sitting down and talking to your students can accomplish for both, you and the student. I still reach out to some and reply back to my Mom, whom still teaches there, when students send messages through her.  It feels good to be remembered in a positive light. 
My mother is also one of those above and beyond teachers.  She loves her job and loves giving it her all.  Her students come to her time and time again for both guidance and emotional support.  Her students love and respect her, as well as her colleagues. 
My daughter is very blessed to have such a teacher, as well.  As many in my class know, my daughter attends a private, christian-based home-school that is monitored by the state.  Students are also required to do the state testing each year.  Her teacher is great!  I can update her on things that are going on at home, such as when a family member passed that was close to my daughter, her teacher watched out for her and signs of sadness and would talk to her and console her, plus we would stay in constant contact regarding it.  Her teacher always shows her students how much she cares, as well as the parents.  The students have learned so much from her and are accelerating quite quickly.  She even gives them an  awards/graduation banquet at the end of each year, which the students love, at a hall via her own funds to show off their achievements and for those that are graduating from K to 1st grade, from elementary to junior high, and those going to high school.  Simply stated, I think she is awesome!

There are so many other teachers that I know, love, and respect for what they do.  Teaching is not a field for everyone and not something to take lightly.  It is hard work...

Again, I just want to say, "Thank you!" to the teachers that go above and beyond.

God bless you!!!

Article Discussion - 1/19/11

An interesting article was placed in Edutopia today, 1/19/11, written by Suzie Boss, entitled “Why Media Literacy is Not Just for Kids”.  The article discusses the importance of individuals of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds being literate in not only using the media, but being able to understand the affects in all aspects that affect their/our lives.  The article includes the need for those that may have recently immigrated and those that are underprivileged.  I enjoyed this article.  I believe that it talks about many of the issues that we have discussed in class.  Technology and media literacy doesn’t and shouldn’t exclude anyone today or tomorrow.

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/media-digital-literacy-essential-all-citizens-suzie-boss?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+EdutopiaNewContent+%28Edutopia%29&utm_content=Google+Reader

Blogging

Hello everyone,

I have not been a blogger in the past, so this is a new experience for me.  I have read many blog logs on different websites, but never entered the conversations.  But, here I am...