“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
― Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad/Roughing It

This restful season, I am yet again reminded of the many dynamics of teaching. Now, perhaps more than ever in my lifetime, we teachers are needed to instill a sense of hope.

As an educator, I remain overjoyed to be working with students, parents and fellow educators who have meaningful life experiences from various points around the globe. This lifestyle is the norm for our students and is becoming the norm for me. I am beginning to realise that I simply do not see the world through the same lens as my fellow Americans anymore.

America has survived The Great Depression, Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, Vietnam, Watergate, Reaganomics, Wall Street’s theft, and the lie that became the Iraq wars. Americans will survive this too.

Alas, during this time of uncertainty and grief, it is time I go back to the basics. It is time to share our school’s good deeds and work ever harder to teach our students empathy coupled with critical thinking skills. I choose to reinvest my time in personal and professional growth. It is how I combat fear.

That said, while living and working overseas, I have yet to meet one person that is pleased about our most recent Presidential election. Not one.  I have thrice been asked about the probabilities of WWIII as if it is a foregone conclusion.

After a deep breath, my response, is that more people voted against our President-elect than not. This cannot be overstated. If only millennial voted, there would be barely any red states. I am indebted to the my students’ generation. They will lead us well when I am old.

I remain ever hopeful. Still, I am scared. Let us carry on our good work together.

One of the perks of being an ageing elementary school teacher is that I occasionally get to hear how my former students are doing. It is one of the most satisfying parts of my job. I especially love to hear when a few are thinking of becoming educators themselves.

I met Emily Gelkin while teaching 5th grade at Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan. I remember Emily being sweet to every one and that she was ever inquisitive. She was a model student. I remember teasing Emily that I had to move all the way to Japan to meet someone from Idaho. In fact, Idaho was what I called her mostly. We learned a bunch and had a lot of fun that year.

 Koshien Stadium.

Emily contacted me via Facebook messenger to ask me questions about teaching. The following are my responses:

Emily: If you could go back to school, what would you focus on most?

Barry: There are so many dynamics at play when you are a teacher. I cannot stress this enough. My best advice for you to keep a daily writing and reading journal. Writing, for me, has made a world of difference in my career. I really am much more reflective. Also, I would focus on a life of constant and consistent professional development. Professional development is how I stay satisfied and it makes me more marketable in a life teaching overseas. Plus, it is good for the students!

Emily:What is one thing you wish you hadn’t done when you started teaching?

Barry: I started teaching when I was twenty-two years old. I was merely 10 years older than my students. I had a lot of growing up to do and I had very little business being a teacher. I made so many mistakes. One big mistake is I listened to teachers that advised me to keep parent communication to a minimum. Keeping an open and honest dialogue with the kids’ parents makes life more meaningful.

Emily: What have you had the most success with (whether that be a teaching method, daily routine, life motto, etc.)?

Barry: When I got my masters, I had to create a professional mission statement. It was two weeks in the making. My mission statement is:  “ I will provide a wholesome and upbeat environment for any and all students to succeed. I will teach students to learn to be content. I will demand that students care for the world around them as well as themselves. I will remember what it is like to be a child.”

Creating a safe learning environment is a priority each year. Learning to actively empathise with my students is a constant.

Emily: What would be your biggest recommendation before I start teaching?

Prepare to live within your means. You will never be rich but you can do well if you save your money from the beginning. Stay away from negative people. Read with a purpose. Strive to better yourself each day. Be ever hopeful.

Also,understand that teaching well is physically demanding. After completing my first day as a student teacher, I fell asleep at 5:00 PM and did not wake until 7:00 AM the next day. I was almost late for school. The students are so needy.  This job really takes all of you. (Still does!)

Start a professional learning network now. Get on Twitter.

Emily: What is the one thing you wish someone had told you before you became a teacher?

Barry:

The school year is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t forget to breathe. Also, prepare to laugh a ton.

Good luck in whatever you do, Idaho!