Inspiration

Every teacher must at one point in their career feel the need to inspire the students, otherwise why teach?

I am constantly looking, listening to and thinking of different ways to inspire my students. I want to help them understand the importance of physical education and health. I want them to believe that what we do in my subject can make a difference to their lives now and in the future. 

I believe if your school has a broad and balanced curriculum, they can allow all students a chance to discover something they can excel in. Something they can strive for outside of the classroom. Something you can use your knowledge to guide them in continuing that experience out of the classroom.

It is not just by doing the activity children will become inspired to do more, it is the joy of 'experiencing' the activity they want to continue to explore.

When I was younger, I had one PE teacher who inspired me to go into teaching and teaching physical education. His lessons were enjoyable, he had an energy in the lessons that made us want to do the lessons and learn from him. Although at the time the lessons were kind of traditional sports lessons, they seemed different from the other PE teachers we had. There was something different he brought to the lessons that made us walk away from the gym feeling we had achieved something and were successful in what little we had done.

Thinking back now, the path he led me on then has brought me great adventures and allowed me to experience the life I have had these last nineteen years. I was lucky to have that experience and would like to have that same effect on the students I teach.

While it has been a bit of a battle here in my first year here in Korea, I am determined to make a difference. I am always looking for new ways to generate an energy in my classes that make them fun and exciting. That make the classes challenging but achievable. To make my students think and question. To make them think outside of the box and not just listen and follow. I feel I am now beginning to see a difference and hope this continues for the rest of the year.

Finding new colleagues on-line through twitter and Facebook have helped me. Through discussion, sharing and constructive criticism I have developed as a teacher again this year. I feel inspired by others and what they are doing, how they create and why they teach.

Tomorrow, do something that inspires.

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