The End of My 4th Year

Less than a week to go before the end of my fourth year at CDNIS and my seventh year in this profession. I just cannot be happier and more satisfied if I have never begun teaching seven years ago. The relationship that a teacher can develop with his/her class and seeing how each individual students has grown over a period of time are things which I cannot imagine anyone working in an office would ever experience.

This year's graduates were in grade 9 when I came to CDNIS, and for the last four years I think I might have taught almost all of them or have got to know them through different activities, trips, and sports tournaments. When I flip through the yearbook four years ago and see how much they have grown and be ready for their post-secondary dreams, I wonder how much of an impact have I had on them, if any at all.

Perhaps there is one word to summarize this academic year - INSPIRING. Inspiring because I have learned from my fellow teachers what is teaching to them. Inspiring because I have learned from my students what is learning to them. Inspiring because I have understood what is happiness from those whom I came across in different parts of the world who have very little in life.

The more I learn, the more I realize that I do not know.
The longer I teach, the more I realize that I need to improve.
The more I travel, the more I realize how fortunate I am.

As I am cleaning up my room and getting ready for next year, I hope to spend the next two months to refocus....and at the same time, admiring the beauty of the California and enjoying the nice summer in Toronto.