Hey guys, welcome back. New visitors, welcome.
I started my blog three months ago. I have had over 3.000 visitors, made a video, published an eBook and made some great new friends.
teachers? angels?
My blog stats tell me there are about 60 people a day clicking over here.
Good to see you.
I suppose I could raise the bar and pretend I’m speaking at a big arena in front of 1000s of visitors but my ego isn’t big enough.
Hey! Hi Cynthia, Lisa, Barbara and Michelle. Have you met Jeff, Chris and Dr. B.? There are also a couple of new kids here, one from Sweden, Annika, and another American in Italy, Rebecca.
True Story
Yesterday I had the honor of being asked to substitute teach a class of twelve year olds. If any of you recall, substitute teaching sucks can be entertaining. Usually, it’s pretty hard to keep the students contained and a lot of the times they like to take advantage of the situation.
Not with me. I’ve been teaching now for 15 years and I’ve learned some great ways of getting attention, holding it and mezmerizing my students into using their imaginations and smiles.
Here’s something that works:
Just sit there and don’t talk.
books and flowers
I decided yesterday with this new group to just have a talk about what it’s like to be an American living in Italy.
First period 8 a.m., sleepy and happy.
I walk into class of 19 completely new faces. I introduce myself and tell the class I am happily married, have two kids, come from a good family and write a blog. I talk about what I feel is most important these days: being a good person, helping other people and flossing.
You see guys, kids these days have an entire new set of self discovery tools. A lot of the times, they don’t know how to make friends. A lot of them are shy, a lot of them are hysterically funny.
When they asked if my kids were bilingual, which they are, I found out that this small group of 19 kids came from all over the world including France, Sweden, Africa, Germany, Portugal, Bulgaria and Spain. Who would have known? I mistakenly thought they were all Italians.
Welcome.
I asked them if they had any questions.
Prof. In America, how do people get around?
I told them it depends on if you live in a big city or in the country. I told them how in New York city people take taxis, walk, bike or take the metro.
I told them in Los Angeles most people use their cars. I told them about how vast Los Angeles is, sprawling. I told them it takes two hours at least to drive from one side to the other.
How about you? Where you live how do you get around? I use a car although a lot of people take the bus. My neighbors all get around with bikes, God bless them.
Any more questions?
Prof, what is your favorite food?
That is a question that makes me love teaching. You see, kids are so cute and sweet and sincere that to them any question is a good one. I told them if I were to find myself on a desert island without any food, the one thing I would wish for more than anything would be a nice pizza. They all smiled.
They asked me if in America people ate Italian food.
I told them that America is made up of people from all over the world. Thanks to these influences Americans are given fantastic choices of foods such as Chinese, Mexican, Japanese, or Indian to start.
We talked about sports and identifying with famous people. You see these kids are just out of their little kid bodies wearing big people bodies. They look grown but they are just kids. When they write me essays about what they think, you can read anything and everything under the sun.
The class told me how one kid spends at least eight hours a day playing video games. He was over weight and sort of shy. It worried me. I told him I hope he finds a better balance in his life that includes learning, sports and some social activities. I’m not one to dish out the advice. I KNOW NOTHING. I just listen.
I told the kind bright kids I’m more than happy to have a discussion just as long as it’s in an orderly manner. They seemed to like that.
When the bell rang, I was approached by at least six of the students who told be about their various projects, magic vegetables, friends visiting from abroad who didn’t speak the language. They were so cute, beautiful actually, fresh and smiling.
I left the class smiling thanking God for the new experiences He presents me.
Sounds like yesterdays class was a success. The article is full of that ‘feel good’ factor.
LindaLouMac,
You’re a great reader. I can see why your blog is doing well. I always try to find a positive side to any angle. That’s why I had to correct my headline. : )
Thanks for reading. Thanks for your comment.
Julie
aw, thanks for the mention
If only I’d had substitute teachers like you when I went to school! I remember that we did have a few good ones but most of them showed absolutely no interest in us nor did they seem interested in teaching; I know one sub read aloud from a fiction book all day long. Nobody listened.
Annika,
You’re a great writer. I see your heart is in Italy. I can see you have the ability to be inspirational. And your EYES are so beautiful in your picture. My gosh. My heart was in Italy for about seven years before I decided to move here.
It wasn’t an easy choice. Now, yes, I’ve married, have a beautiful family, house and a job I love. I’ve paid a price though and that is in the distance between me and my original family.
I don’t think it’s a new story. Besides today is opposite day. My kids told me. So whatever I say, it’s the opposite. ; )
: ) Julie
My daughter is in her first year of college for Music Education. She has wanted to be a teacher since starting school, but decided on Music Education some time in high school. I hope she has many days like this. For some reason I believe this has as much to do with the teacher as the students. Talk to them like they matter [like people] and they will respond well. I also have encouraged her to look into teaching abroad since it sounds like a great opportunity and she loves to experience new things. Or perhaps it’s because I’ve always wanted to travel but started a family at such a young age instead. {sigh}
All this is to say I really enjoy stopping by for my deliciously hot cup of blog copy.
Thanks Anne.
You are ALWAYS a welcome visitor. Who knows what life has in store for us, right? A family, a move, a change, a blog? For now it’s all new and exciting.
Being paid for what you love to do is key.
I’m sure your daughter will make the perfect choice suited exactly for her needs. Or, if not, she’ll, try, learn and then try again with her new knowledge and insight.
Julie
Julie,
As you know, my Mama was an English teacher. In grade school I was one of those wide-eyed kids who thought every one of my teachers was an Angel from Heaven, and I hung on their every word.
Dr. B
Oh Dr. B,
You’re a good man. Did you see I featured you on my list of top blogs?
http://julieangelos.com/2010/02/17/12-excellent-blogs-to-click-over-to-immediately-i-mean-after-you-read-the-list/
Julie
That is so cool. I have a 13 and 14 year old so I know this entity well. They can be so much fun at times and downright hormonal at others. Great post!
Dear Italian Mama Chef,
I hear so many nightmare stories about teenagers as my kids are much younger. Still my personal experience with them is that it’s the times we need them the most. Did I say that?
I meant, it’s the times THEY need us the most. Freudian slip?
Julie
Julie,
I sub all the time and that is my favorite age group. They are such interesting little people at 12, growing and learning and changing daily. I love your blog, so glad I stopped by! Congrats!
Chassity
Hey Chassity. I feel honored to work with young kids. They are fun, sincere and silly. Lately, they have taken to chanting shjuli sjhjuli shjuli when they see me. Their eyes light up when they see I have candy in my bag. I’m bad. Once I gave them all of my coins from US while they were out during break. They thought it was a fairy godmother. I know our future is bright because our kids are bright.