To teach, and never be weary, is love.

It’s true: Many a time, I’ve often mused (loudly, ie. lamented), much to the disdain of nearer, dear ones, of the challenges of the current vocation. Yes, being new might allow oneself some excuse, but like I was trying to reason out with my other half (ie. Thuz, who keeps reiterating that yours truly should be more lenient with herself – although alas, work demands do not concur) earlier today, one needs to constantly strive for a personal benchmark, na? Even if that means pushing oneself against the grind. The only prob. here, now, would be to try to ascertain those (elusive) very limits we are capable of achieving.. *Again an aside: Thanks to teen sis, Koms who turns 18 today, we’d gone for a cool B’day celebration-cum-dinner at the famed Svensen’s @ the Airport here. Had a great time ~ Thanks Komi for the precious moments of beautiful memories. May you always be blessed with bliss, peace, success, good health & the courage to pursue your Dreams. Love, us*

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Still on the topic of the vocation of current choice, I guess my musings thus far have been focusing more on the rather negative side of things, i.e. of youths/teenaged students now, as in how the generations/cohorts of students of late, seem to adhere to progressively (and relatively, yes) ‘less-disciplined’ codes of conduct. Just one salient example here, would be the seeming and sad lack of empathy for others…

… (elders, peers, people not in the ‘in-groups’ they perceive themselves within), as attested to by dear friend SW, too. And so, while this has been a constant source of discussion with Mom as well (as to the larger-scale implications of this on students of the generation, the nation, and good heavens, the world) – some of us got invited to this rather fun mass lecture/ conference-of-sorts at the Expo [September 4th, 2006]. One of the main highlights was the rather engaging lecture by Mr Ian Jukes, on ‘Digital Kids in the New Digital Landscape.’ In short, it dealt with the changing attitudes (and working capacities) of today’s e-savvy kids and the attendant implications on teaching. Some pretty inspiring stuff, like the amusing breaking-down of old assumptions vis-a-vis neuroplasticity (or how adaptable our human brain is, regardless of age/culture etc.) as well as the more *affirmative* identity (aah, my pet topic, yet again) of today’s kids as “digital natives” and what that’ll mean for the rest of us. Some pretty amusing food for thought, truly. For those who are interested, more links here: *Mr Ian Jukes’ “The Committed Sardine Blog” (You’ll need to subscribe by email, for access) *Gist of the Lecture: New Skills to prepare kids for Newer Futures Do have a read & take care all, Minerva*

“Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.” ~ Author Unknown

“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism” ~ Colleen Wilcox

“To learn and never be filled, is wisdom; to teach and never be weary, is love.”