I love being a teacher!

I do not always feel this way, but this week brought back all the reasons why I love it. I had an open lesson for all English teachers in the area. When all was said and done around 20 teachers were sitting in the back of the classroom watching my every move like hawks! It was nerve-racking, but it brought back the excitement I had lost sight of over the past few weeks. I'd forgotten how good it feels to map out every step of a lesson and then toss it into the trash when I wanted to freestyle! I was so excited to show my students progress and to show some of the Romanian teachers how far kindness can go in the classroom! From the feedback they all provided after the lesson, I think most of my goals were met.

My students were feeling nervous. And I won't lie, I was too! They said --Miss Tara! I woke up this morning with a stomach ache. I don't think I can do this. This is scary!

The students were brilliant! Although they were a little quieter than I would like them to be, but it was a success so oh well! Bravo 6C!

In addition to the open lesson, 8C pulled out their formal letter writing skills we learned in 1st semester to write me a letter of invitation to all the end of the school year activities. I wanted to include a copy of it here.

Dear Miss Tara,

On behalf of VIII - C gr. - students from Gimn. Stat "Avram Iancu," which you skillfully and most competently taught, we have the honour to invite you to participate in all the specific activities which are going to be organized at the close of school.
Hopefully you will be with us to share the emotion of these moments.

Respectfully Yours,
-VIII-C

All this has reminded me of one of my primary goals for my Peace Corps service --To become the best teacher I can possibly be. To put myself in situations that may be beyond my comfort zone... It feels good to see I'm succeeding at some level!

"The true teacher defends his pupils against his own personal influence. He inspires self-distrust. He guides their eyes from himself to the spirit that quickens him. He will have no disciple." -Amos Bronson Alcott