What is value?
It's an important question, and we should ask ourselves what we value because it shapes how we shop, our lifestyle, our work, our hobbies, our social circle, and well, everything really.
Category life
An unknown error has occurred
An unknown error has occurred Have you ever seen that message? On a computer? on a smartphone? tablet? or maybe a blinking RED light on your car panel? How do you react when you see it? Whenever I have car…
Leisure time
A fantasy In my first few years of being a teacher I was an avid fantasy sports player. I’d come back from work and spend a significant amount of my free time looking on the computer screen at player statistics,…
Getting picked (ignore the gatekeepers)
When I was in school in the 90’s I was always worried about getting picked. Worried I wouldn’t know the answer in class or even worse, that I would embarrass myself with my silly answer. In sports I was the…
Knowledge vs. Experience
Knowledge vs Experience Our schools don’t prepare our kids for their future. It’s been said, repeated and discussed whenever education is the topic of a TEDtalk, a YouTube video or an education conference. Trying to figure out how to fix…
Personal Development
Personal Development criteria Is it unknown? Is it fearful? Is it difficult? If what you want to do hits those three points then go for it. I just heard that on a podcast and I think it is awesome. It’s…
Travel is the greatest form of education
Travel is more than just an all-inclusive hotel We discussed it last week with bank employees I teach. They agreed, that it’s a great form but not necessarily the greatest. You know when you book that holiday with the family…
Getting out of your comfort zone
The easy way We are told to try new things. To learn a new skill, pick up a new hobby, explore, travel to unusual destinations, change habits. When you’re young this seems natural because you have a limited number of…
Respect: Take it
Does anyone respect teachers anymore? Parents? Kids? Teenagers? Adults? When I meet someone and they happen to ask what I do, which in Europe is extremely rare, and I tell them I’m an English teacher, I get no further questions.…
Contingency plans when under (teaching) duress
It’s Sunday, rainy and cold, in England. I am away from my family and I am headed into week 3 of school dining hall food. Oh man! Where’s the silver lining? Let’s have a look. I had a class this…
Change the status quo
Changing the status quo We’re always looking for the easy way out. Looking for a shortcut to our problem, to our homework, to our tasks. We start doing this from a young age, with chores, and then, we try to…
The obstacle is the way
‘What is defeat? Nothing but education; nothing but the first step to something better.’ -Ryan Holiday Changing times Youngsters complain nowadays about how they can’t find their passion. It’s a problem many of them face and one that I had…
Bring on the change
Change is a process. Change is the hardest thing we can choose to do. That’s cause people don’t like change. They like what’s comfortable and familiar, if you force them to change then they will resist and maybe even protest.…
Facing our fears
The Beginning- Taking risks When I started teaching, I was scared out of my boots. I was scared of making a fool of myself, of what the students would think of me, scared of making a language error or teaching…
Full Circle-Getting my own place
When I was eighteen I left home and went off to college. It was an exciting time and I was anticipating the freedom and independence that came with leaving home and being out in the real world, finally! In my…