The last post

So, the semester is ending, holidays are around the corner, and it is that time of the year to evaluate what we did and to set new goals.

This has been one of the most stressful semesters I have had since I entered the program, and having this course sincerely helped me to keep stress at bay. In those moments when I was running and rushing to finish reports and prepare presentations, there was always the teachers' or one of my classmates' activities to remind me to breathe and slow down.

image from this website

In that sense, I'd say that having a moment like that once a week is a good idea and should be implemented in schools, because having that support from your colleagues can be really comforting. Knowing that everyone had many things to do but that at the same time we were all doing our best to contribute to one another's experience in the course was priceless. Maybe if we started being less competitive and more supporting among us (teachers), we could start teaching our students about genuine collaborative work. Then, even though there are many activities I want to implement in the classroom, I think one of my main objectives when I start actually working as a teacher, will be to promote support among teachers, because I believe that through better teams we can create better learning instances for our students.

Nevertheless, I wish I had devoted even more time and thought to the course in a consistent way--because there were weeks in which I just forgot my homework or similar things--but that is definitely because I'm still working on my time-management skills.

As for the near future, I think I need to work on my own practices regarding meditation and breathing techniques, because it is only when we have consolidated our practices that we can start teaching about them effectively.

I would like to go hiking once a week or every other week in order to become stronger and to improve both my lung strength and my connection with nature. Also, I would like to start meditating regularly and doing something like the Qigong technique that I mentioned in a previous post in order to be able to use it in my final practicum next year.

All in all, this has been a great experience in so many ways. I think that I learned a lot from my classmates through their peer teachings and through the discussions we had in class; also I learned from the topics and activities the teacher introduced (especially the concept of stirrers and settlers, we need some classroom management instruction in the program); and finally, I learned a from myself through the writing of this blog and through the way I interacted with the class. 

Thanks to everyone who participated in this course (though I don't think they'll be reading this), and I wish you all the best in the future you choose to pursue.