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December 12, 2004 - Through our participation with Epals classroom exchange, I have had the great fortune to work with many generous and kind teachers around the world. Several of the teachers I worked with last year decided to partner with us again, so I am thrilled to continue our friendships. One of my partner teachers is Mrs. Morales-Reyes from an inner city school in Hartford, CT. If you know public education in America, you realize what a difficult job she has. Yet, she goes out of her way to build friendships with us all the way in the Philippines. She even spends her own money to send us a package filled with Halloween treats, |
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letters and small gifts for my students. Gestures like that mean the world to my students and to me. Pundits find it easy to criticize public education in America, but I have found many teachers who put their heart into their work.
As the holiday season is a time for sharing around the world, we have been working on our own projects to send to our epals. As I watch my students work, I am always impressed with the care and effort they put into their projects. Especially the girls, who in my eyes shine because of the effort they give towards their work. |
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If you take a look at Christine (left) and Elaine's (below) projects, you might notice how neatly written and nicely designed they are. Anytime we do projects for our partner schools, the other teachers always comment to me how impressed they are with the work of my students. I tell my students this because I want them to know how good they are. They are creative, neat and filled with heart. They have spirit and it shows in what they do. I only wish my children might someday be like them. How do families here raise them to be this way? I don't know. |
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When I am in class, I am usually peppered with questions: "Kuya Lane, why don't you text me anymore?" "Kuya Lane, is this ok?" "Kuya Lane, can we play badminton?" After an hour of that, I'm toast. But, when I think about it, those are the times that I will remember and recall fondly. I will really miss all the kids, their smiles and even the chaos of our classroom.
So I tell my girl students, "when you marry _______ (insert name of crush), you invite me to your wedding!" I am hoping one or two might remember me, but that's a long time into the future. |
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