All this time though I just couldn't help thinking... how do I measure success / my own success on a daily basis? How do YOU measure it? In a world that demands instant success and "evidence", how do we, educators, measure it? I can tell when my students are motivated, when they start asking questions and making associations but, unlike other professions, I guess we have to wait years, even decades to know if we are successful, if we managed to pass on the knowledge we were supposed to and if they can appropriately apply it; if we managed to make a difference in the lives of our students, instill hope for their dreams, support and care for them. So much, Gosh! Surely every teacher in Portugal is now overworked and underpaid but we still strive each day to deal with challenging students, the pressure of higher test scores and curricular mandates and still can't be sure if we are successful...
Anyway, enough digression and time to cheer up... let's pray and bear together for another school year :)
All the best for 2011 / 2012!
3 comments:
LOVED the prayer. Think I'll use it for the first classes! You should also post this on Facebook!
As for success, I think the best way to measure it is to measure your level of happiness first. If you're happy, you're successful. Being a caring person and an excellent professional as you are, if you have days in which you feel fulfilled, that means you're successful, you reached your goals.
Did you know that in Bhutan, "Gross National Happiness" is an indicator to measure the quality of life of the people? The king once stated that "Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product". A great way to look at life, isn't it?
By the way, I've got good news - I'll be on the same school this year! My happiness level is pretty high right now!:D
Love,
Lena.
Thanks LN! As usual, I agree with you and also believe it's definitely important to be happy and successful. What a lesson from Bhutan!
As for youself, LN, I'm very VERY Happy - what a relief, hem? for someone who is up to every single challenge, another one has been successfully overcome (and unfortunately not many can say the same...) Congrats!
Hugs and kisses, Alex
Very lovely prayer! WE need it.
AS for the success, I agree with Lena. I think the situation about the teachers is the same as in Portugal, nevertheless we( the most motivated and passionate teachers) go ahead.
have a........successful scholl year. No doubt. You'll have
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