I have vacillated about what to write for my final blog post this semester. Do I leave you with some sage advice about future endeavors? Do I tell you how much I enjoyed the semester (and, I most certainly did)?
What to write?
I suppose first I must express my thanks for being bestowed the honor of educating (or trying to educate) all of you. And, I don't want anyone to be mistaken about this matter - I do consider what I do every day to be an honor. In fact, I don't understand how anyone, ANYONE, can look at my job in any other way. I get to wake up every morning and watch the future citizens of the world grow and evolve. I get to watch one thought, one bit of knowledge, change the course of someone's life. And, better yet, I get to spend day in and day out allowing these very same thoughts and bits of knowledge to change my life. Every day is unique. Thank You.
As for the advice...Well, I am certainly not an expert on life. But, I do know what has worked for me. I know that you have to pay attention to the world. There is so much beauty out there that should never be ignored. Confucius once said that "Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it." Take the time to see it. But don't forget about the ugliness - that is sometimes just as important as the beauty.
Find some sort of balance in your life. Again, I am not an expert on this matter. But, I am farther along than many others. I love my job and work hard at it, but it does not own me. When I leave work, I leave. I realize the importance of eating well and working out so I do both. But, when I want to have a piece of cake, I eat it, and I don't feel bad. These are simple examples of ways that I incorporate balance into my life but what is simple to some is extraordinary to others. Work hard, but play hard too.
And finally, become someone that you can be proud of. Don't go to college to be a lawyer or doctor because you want to make a ton of money. Don't cheat on a test so you can get a high grade. Don't follow the crowd to look better or because it is easier. Become a person that you can live with, or better yet, become the kind of person that you would like to live with.
I could go on but I won't. Instead, I implore you to check out one of my favorite pieces...
20 comments:
I think that it is great that you really love what you do, most people do not seem to enjoy what they are doing for a living. I certainly will take all that you have said this semester into considerations for the future. Thank you for all you have done this semester, I have learned way more then I thought I would. I am sure it will all pay off and these skills will carry me farther then before.
It's awesome that you enjoy watching us grow more and more everyday in ever way possible. i know that you enjoy your job and you actually care about your students. You do a really great job of teaching us new things and i'm going to miss your class and you when we have to move on to the next.
You can only find a hand full of people who really enjoy their job. It is great to see those people that do and sad to see the ones that don't. It really shows that you love what you do and I love that. I am so appreciative for what you have done. I think that I learned the most I have ever learned in one class. Meaning both for future and now. Thank you so much for what you have taught me!!
I give thanks to all the knowledge I have gained from this course. I can say this class was very challenging and I was able to learn more than I have in any english class. You are a very talented teacher and that is undeniable, thank you for all the lessons you have taught us. It is also great to hear that you love what you do, that is something I admire and agree with. I wish for my future to be like that, to be able to go to work everyday loving what I do, I don't know how I could do so any other way.
Its great that teaching is a love of yours and that you truly enjoy your job. Hopefully by the time I've grown up I also find a job that I'd feel happy and honored about everyday. Also, the video linked at the end had some really great lines about life and I especially liked the line that said, "worrying is as affective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum." Thank you for all you have taught us this semester because I definitely have learned some useful information.
It was great to here some of your own advice on life. As a young adult, it is always nice to be given somewhat of a guide. The video was realty great to listen to as well. I found it to be almost relieving, showing you to approach your life without any worries. It seems to me that we have been taught now a days to worry about things to much, but from my own experience, it will just make things even worse.
I think the most important thing that you can do in your life is to do and be the person you want to be, such as you have done. I, too, am very confident that I will do something with my life that will make me happy to wake up every morning getting to go out and do what I love most. I truly appreciate all you have done to help me in both English and Film. I now may decide to pursue a career in film in the future. So I just want to say thank you for not only passing on some of your own wisdom, but also for your insight on life to help guide my future. You really have been a great mentor to me.
So I almost cried with the video. T-Stok, I find no point in commenting with a long paragraph, you've always taught us the shortest phrases have the most meaning behind them...
so..
thank you.
We should be thanking you for teaching us. Your class has been a unique experience I will always remember. Oh, and I WILL read Atlas Shrugged and finish it (or at least try to) so expect a visit from me next year to discuss it.
Wow, how sweet of you Mrs. Stoklosa! That is actually really nice of you to say. I would hope to think that all teachers, like you, enjoy their occupation and educating the future of America. In actuality, not all of them do, but I believe that you certainly enjoy doing what you do. Within your class, I have learned so much in regards to what to expect in college and how to prepare for my future. Your English class is the only class where we have discussed such topics, and it makes me much more comfortable to these intimidating concepts.
After having watched that video, it calmed me down a bit (because I had previously been registering for the ACT) and helped me realize to not stress so much about my near future. Worrying about college and a profession isn't as important as actually taking the time to live life now.
Always to wear sunscreen, that’s a good advice for anyone.
I respect the way that you love your job, and get frustrated when people say they hate it. Didn't they choose it? I myself won't ever work or do something I don't like, regardless of the amount of money offered. This video is great, and I remember when you first showed it to us.
I really enjoyed your class this semester. I think that it is the only class I've taken that will really prepare me for the future and what is to come in college. I think it’s great that you actually love what you’re doing because a lot of people can’t say that. I also think that you pushed us to become stronger students and it really helped.
I will take this time to thank you for your class. I believe good teachers are not those who only teach but inspire others. For me, I still have a deep everlasting hatred for English because we just don't get along. However, your class was uplifting and made me think rather than do. Reflecting back, I thank you for being the only teacher I've ever had to actively try to change your teaching methods rather than just simply "say words". Lets just say, your class is the only one I don't fall asleep in.
Thank you for loving your career. If not, we would hate school. I truly do look forward to 2nd period because I like to feel challenged and tested. I will definitely carry everything I learned in the future. Thank you for loving your career.
In a sum, it was a great year. With all jokes put aside and time of play, the real meat of this course is something for the books as they say. Because truely it did help, as explained further on in my survey. But yes in my future I would like to do something I love as you have found yours, I think that brings one of my faverite quotes, "money can't buy happines."
I think that its cool that you actually care about us and help us out. Most teachers aren't like you they dont really care about what we become and they dont really prepare you like you do. I think it is smart that you say to not cheat on test because then you are cheating yourself. Also I like how you say dont do something for the money because you dont know what your getting yourself into. Also you dont wanna do a career in which you feel miserable doing.
I remember the 1st day of school, I was asking my friends if you were a nice teacher and a lot said no. Now that I look back at the semester I'm very thankful for having you as a teacher. I feel confident about going to college and very well prepared because of your teachings. What I really liked about your class was that you helped us get ready for college. our resumes and college essays are done. Most english teachers just stick to the material, but you want us to succeed. Thank you for being a great teacher! :)
I have truly enjoyed your class this semester. I admire that you have found something you love. Too many people think of growing up as getting a job that just makes you come home cranky. I hope you continue filling teenage minds with useful information for many years to come!
It has been an incredible experience being in your class because I feel as if I have not just learned more English but instead more about life and how to tackle it. One day I hope to be at the point in my life where I have achieved perfect equilibrium with work and play. I want a profession that truly makes me enjoy going to work every day. In addition, I also have many plans of thing to do in my down time. I hope I achieve my utopia life.
I'm glad you enjoy teaching, I really enjoyed you as a teacher and kind of wish I had you next year also tstok/ Thanks for everything.
This post definitely gave me an upsetting feeling on the fact I won’t have you as a teacher next semester. I think you are great at what you do and I am most definitely appreciative that you love what you do because I can see it as your student. Thank you for what you have taught me I learned more than I thought I would when I walked in the first day. With all honesty, I will gladly share, in my opinion, that your English class was the first real educational and helpful English class I have had in all the years I have taken English. Thank you Mrs.Stoklosa.
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