"Education is not a product: mark, diploma, job, money; It is a process, a never-ending one."
-bel kaufman
the best part about teaching is making that unique connection with a student: he loans me an Indian film ("Dil Se") to watch at home; we talk before classes about Palestinian graphic novels; he brings in an amazing Puerto Rican poem for his homework assignment.
the worst part about teaching is realizing that for every one solid connection, i have at least fifteen other students each with whom i struggle to make any kind of connection. i should be grateful for that one solid connection, i know, but i still strive for a unique bond with each of my students, especially in my first period english class--they have come a long way. they actually smile at me now!
so today was a good day. and i know why.
(i won't bore you with details, though.)
i figured out that this is all in my hands.