06 September 2015

AnnA's Learning Philosophy

I'm a teacher, so I'm prepared to help you improve your English skill...that's what your school hired me to do.  Yet, I'm also a human being with high ideals that have served me well; which I would like to share with you.  My philosophy about school is that the subjects we study are not as important as what we learn about ourselves and life through studying.  So, it doesn't matter what you study.

The ONLY SUBJECT we learn about is LIFE.

We may study English, or Chemistry, or Aeronautical Design, but at the core we are actually studying about life.  In that sense, in the classroom, we are equals; because we all have just as much to teach as we have to learn about this rather mysterious phenomenon of being alive.

STUDENTS ARE also TEACHERS.

So, I can guide you through the study of English, but if I can also help you nourish your soul ~ to think more positively, to dream bigger and brighter, to feel more love in your heart, and more excitement in your mind....that is my job well done.  I can be more blessed in my life having met you, and we can all say that every moment we spend together is valuable.  (Is it lunch time yet?)

LET'S APPROACH CLASS this way, not that I'm torturing you making you learn things and do homework, but that WE ARE all HAVING a CONVERSATION together that is open and honest, and can add great beauty and joy to our lives.

This means...YOU GET TO BE EXCITED about coming to class!  It means you can prepare to talk about anything together it means you get to participate and make this class interesting by YOUR PARTICIPATION.  It means you don't want to end class early, you want to stay later, to keep talking.

What do you think?  What's your learning philosophy? (Leave a comment below.)

05 September 2015

Inspiring Thoughts

from --Chapter 22 of the Tao Te Ching

Yield and Overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.

Therefore the wise embrace the one,
And set example to all.
Not putting on a display they shine forth,
Not justifying themselves.
They are distinguished,
Not boasting they receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.

Therefor the ancients say
"Yield and overcome"
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole
And all things will come to you.