Finished Spring Semester

It is official. I am done teaching for the Spring semester. Well sort of. I have to hand in grades May 14, 2007. Then I am officially done for the semester. Wow, this has been an interesting semester.

I am constantly looking for ways to improve my education course. I love teaching. I also learn that all students are totally unique, literally. I have not met anyone who is the same from the time I began teaching. It is really interesting. I can honestly say since I have been teaching, that each class is different. You never end up with the same type of students, which is cool. That is what makes the world a cool place, full of diverse ideas.

I am honored to be teaching a course this summer, twice a week. After taking a course in social justice in education, I have decided to change the course somewhat. I want to socialize the issues, meaning make them more personal, and less statistical or numerical. We need that human touch, that human feeling.

Maybe, just maybe, we will then be inspired to do something.

There is hope for humanity, after all...

About one week ago, my son and I left the supermarket with our cart full of groceries and put them in our car. My son and I walked to return our cart to the cart area, when we observed an older gentleman was reorganizing the carts into neater rows. I stood there, unsure if he was a supermarket employee, such as a manager because he was professionally dressed. He turned around and looked at me, and saying "It's alright. You may leave your cart here. I will get it."

I told him that is OK. Then, I asked him, "Do you work here?" He replied no. I then looked at him still confused. He told me that he wants to do something nice for people. "These messy carts may hurt people or damage cars," he told me. "Why do we always have to be careless or in a hurry? We should take the time and think of others." I looked at him, and I said, "True, imagine if we all did one thing from the goodness of our hearts? This would be a perfect world, wouldn't it?" He nodded and replied, "Yes, a perfect world."

The gentleman was finishing stacking the carts. He then looked at my son, and told him "Listen to your parents, young man." He then told us, "Have a good day." I replied, "You, too."

I was touched by this man's intentions and actions. I even got goose bumps! Not many people would take the time to do something for strangers and not get major publicity for doing it. I truly felt the world a place of goodness. I honestly felt good. I thought to myself, "There is hope for humanity, after all..."

There is Always a Brighter Side

You may be thinking why I am telling you this? However, I believe because we tend to forget that there is always a brighter side to every situation. We tend to forget because we are busy, tired, or have too many things going on in our lives that is out of our hands.

Besides tackling or living through these activities, you need to tell yourself there is a brighter side to what I am doing. Something or someone could have it worse than you do. As humans, we tend to forget that we are not in the worst situation on earth.

So, we need to think positive, and remind ourselves that there is always a brighter side to every situation. This takes discipline. It is not easy, but it is possible for this to become a lifestyle choice.

You will be amazed by the vibes you will get from other people around you for your positive thinking.

Not to push religion or spirituality, it is healthy for the mind if you do practice one of those options. By fulfilling your mentality needs through religion or spiritual needs, you tend to feel a sense of positive thinking.

Just try it!

Turn off TV week April 23-29, 2007

This week is Turn Off TV week. Take time to spend time with your family by doing different activities, such as talking about different issues, reading together, or even playing games.

The point is become active participants, instead of passive ones. Life is too short to keep watching television. Some television programs may be educational, but many aren't. Parents should pick and choose for their children who are unable to do it themselves.

Check out this Adbusters.org's website at http://adbusters.org/metas/psycho/tvturnoff/ for more information on Turn Off TV week.

Week of the Young Child

This week is considered Week of the Young Child. This is a week to bring awareness and different issues related to children. Many children have problems today, such as malnourishment and living in poverty. Let's make it our goal to eliminate malnourishment and poverty, for the children's sake.

For more information on the Week of the Young Child, visit National Association for the Education of Young Children, at http://www.naeyc.org/about/woyc/.

Who ever said parenting is easy, must not be a serious parent!

Parenting is perhaps one career that gets unappreciated for its tasks and responsibilities. Parents' work never ends when parenting. They are parenting twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week. If the parent is not with the child, then chances are he or she is on call--ready for any type of emergency. It is not easy to parent, yet why do so many people criticize each other when it comes to parenting?

True, some parents don't parent well. They born children into this world for the wrong reasons. Yet, you have parents who may sacrifice their lives for their children, with some turning out well, and others not. Sometimes, societal pressures don't help parents. Often times, it is considered cool to rebel or give parents attitude.

Parenting is a huge responsibility. However, parents and other institutions can work and help each other, such as schools, summer camps and civic organizations. Each institution offers something invaluable in raising children. Not only do children benefit from these opportunities, so do parents as well. Often times, it is difficult for parents to realize their children are not "perfect". Many deny there may be something wrong with their child, academically or emotionally. However, parents must think of the child's best interests. This will help the child in the long run.

Children are mirrors of parents and family. They mimic their parents as part of the learning process towards adulthood. One of my dreams is to ensure that all children live a rich and happy childhood, so that they can make this possible for their children. Remember parents, don't feel ashamed or embarrassed if you need to seek assistance for your child or children. You will be doing them a favor and society a favor, as well as yourself.

Don't forget to say please and thank you!

Remember this. Life is not easy for you and for others as well. You and others have to deal with what life gives you--happiness, dreams, frustrations, obstacles,and challenges, to name a few. Human interaction on the social level is crucial for humanity's existence, so we have to be careful of how we treat each other.

I have a few rules that I try to follow. I write try because after all I make mistakes just like everyone else. It takes a conscious effort to pay attention to your attitude and personality. That takes practice.

Here are some rules that I live by:

1. I always smile when I greet someone because I like to see people smile. At first, this was started as an unconscious act until a friend told another friend that she has never seen me not smile as I walk into a room full of people. That made me pay more attention because I realize that anything we do can influence others.

2. I always ask how have they been doing? I always want to know the latest happenings with them.

3. I like to help people in any way I can. When a fellow human succeeds, you succeed as well. When a fellow human tumbles and fall, you tumble and fall as well. Whether you like it or not, we are all in this together.

These are the top three that came to my mind right now. So, the next time you hang out with some one or some people, just remember to treat them kindly or if you are feeling stressed out, tell them. Don't snap at them because you don't know what they have been or gone through.

Something to think about...