What I fear…
Ok…you asked for it…I was asked in class tonight what I feared…it was hard to come up with something on the spot but I did think about it all the way to the car before I left campus…there are obvious things…like losing my wife and my parents…even my first dog…he’s really old and it won’t be long now…
Some of you know that I am studying Buddhism right now…one of the main concepts in Buddhism is the concept of impermanence…look it up…my wife, parents and dog all will die someday…that is a fact…their deaths…like my own…aren’t something I really fear although the thought of it happening is a bit scary…
So…what do I really fear?? Besides my wife…TEACHING IS MY LIFE!!! I’ve taught for almost half of my life…helping students (of all ages) learn is something that brings great amounts of joy to me!! I fear the day that I will no longer be able to go into a classroom and engage students in the act of learning!!!
Teaching isn’t something I do…it’s what I am!!
November 29th, 2006 at 11:47 pm
well tony i hope that doesnt happen to you for a very long time! i have really enjoyed having you as my teacher this year and i am sure every other student of yours feels the same way!
November 30th, 2006 at 12:33 am
I see so many teacher that do not enjoy their jobs. And at times, I often think that some of them even hate it. It is so inspiring to see a teacher that actually loves what they do. Thank you for being inspiration to me and others. Maybe one day, I will be able to inspire my students like you have done.
November 30th, 2006 at 1:07 am
awww.. that’s really deeply thought out. i think
another fear of mine is that i won’t ever figure
out what i want to do with my life. i always go
around in circles. i think it’s because i have
a fear of being defined. i can never decide on
anythihng. i’ll give you an example. politics.
i can’t be a
republican because they are too conservative for me
and i can’t be a democrat because they are too
liberal for me. i don’t want anyone to say, “hey she’s
republican” or “she a democrat”.
because even if i was republican or democrat that’s not
my identity.
i know this is really dumb but it makes a big difference
to me. the one thing i’m sure about is my name…
not my real name “Susanne”. but Susie. whenever i get
the chance i’m legally chaning my name to Susie. when
people call me Susanne i forget they are talking to me.
Susie is my identity and i hate it when anyone calls me
anything but Susie.
November 30th, 2006 at 7:46 am
Thanks to Kasey and Katie for the kind words…I can’t tell you how much they mean to me. It’s kind words like this that keep me energized and motivated… :-)
Susie…I totally know what you’re talking about…here’s another deep thought to think about…in the end…you’ll be defined by the things you do and the things you say…if you keep that in mind…you’ll find what you want in life and enjoy it!! :-)
November 30th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
Yea I agree with katie and kasey. I really have enjoyed having you as a teacher, especially considering that I’ve met a lot of educators that do not enjoy their job. But, tony, you definately made it interesting and fun! lol Yea, I would hate to see the day that you couldn’t teach either! What would the future writers of America do!
November 30th, 2006 at 1:47 pm
I’m sure the future writers of America would do just fine without me…I however would greatly miss the opportunity to work with them!! Thanks for the kind thoughts!!!
December 6th, 2006 at 5:54 pm
I could totally see you still teaching when you’re like 65. I have a great uncle that taught till he was about that age. He was a math professor…calculus and trig I believe. You said you’re almost 40 right? I would so sign up for your classes in a heart beat. Twenty years from now we could still be engaging in writing marathons. It would be so much more interesting to see what the other person has been through/accomplished in 20 years…. I can’t wait to sign up. haha
December 6th, 2006 at 5:57 pm
Thanks for the kind words Jessie…I’m sure our paths will cross again…
December 12th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Hey Tony, are we going to put the drafts you have into our portfolio?
December 13th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Lacey…You’re supposed to have kept copies of the drafts you’ve written over the course of the
semester…I gave you everything I had last week…I do have the mid-term reflection and will
give it to you if you need it when we meet in an hour…