I've been amazed and humbled by everything that's happened since I launched my blog over a year ago.
A few weeks ago, a reporter from the nearby newspaper interviewed me for a follow-up story about my trip.
It's always a thrill to talk about my trip to Turkey because it gives me a chance to brag about the country, and it gives me another opportunity to remind people that anything is possible.
The story is scheduled to run this Sunday, August 29th. You can find the on-line edition here.
Since I've been back in the classroom, I've already used my trip as a teaching tool on several occasions.
"Mr. Dickinson, that's too hard. I can't do it."
I now relish these opportunities.
"Yes, it is hard, but anything is possible. This summer, I traveled through Turkey for a month....."
Teachers use anything at their disposal to try to capture the attention of their students. Hopefully, I'll be able to utilize the details of my trip for the rest of my career.
As I mentioned earlier, I would like to publish a book one day about my journey. I continue to plug away on a daily basis. I'll let you know how that journey unfolds, as well.
This week, I looked at the statistics for my blog. I've now had more than 3,700 hits from 39 U.S. states, as well as 42 foreign countries. Yesterday, someone from Albania read my site. When I grew up, the internet didn't exist, so I'm still blown away by how widely ideas can spread in cyberspace.
I want to thank all of you who occasionally glance at my site. It's been a real labor of love since the beginning. I'll try to keep you informed of any developments.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Saturday, August 21, 2010
My Harshest Critic Speaks - August 21, 2010
When I returned to teaching this week, I couldn't wait to hear the reactions from my harshest critic, regarding my summer trip.
Last spring, one of my students continuously told me that there was no way that I would ever get to Turkey, let alone last a month there. I didn't mind because I enjoyed her good-humored ribbing
Before school let out for the summer, I showed her the ticket, and she said, "Wow!" That was enough for me, but I still wanted to hear what was on her mind.
Unfortunately, I found out that she transferred to another school, but this week she dropped by my room to see me. She caught me up on her summer, and after several minutes, I couldn't help but ask.
"So what did you think about my trip?"
For a minute or two, she seemed to be going through some kind of internal struggle about whether she would actually say something positive. Finally, she said, "It was pretty cool." That's a lot for a teenager.
The whole point of my journey was to show my students that people are good and that anything is possible. Last spring, this particular student was firmly in the camp that believed that people were evil.
Before she left my room last week, I had to ask her one final question,"Do you think now that most people might be good?" Again, she seemed hesitant to say anything but replied, "Maybe. I'll think about it."
That, alone, made me feel that the trip was a success.
Last spring, one of my students continuously told me that there was no way that I would ever get to Turkey, let alone last a month there. I didn't mind because I enjoyed her good-humored ribbing
Before school let out for the summer, I showed her the ticket, and she said, "Wow!" That was enough for me, but I still wanted to hear what was on her mind.
Unfortunately, I found out that she transferred to another school, but this week she dropped by my room to see me. She caught me up on her summer, and after several minutes, I couldn't help but ask.
"So what did you think about my trip?"
For a minute or two, she seemed to be going through some kind of internal struggle about whether she would actually say something positive. Finally, she said, "It was pretty cool." That's a lot for a teenager.
The whole point of my journey was to show my students that people are good and that anything is possible. Last spring, this particular student was firmly in the camp that believed that people were evil.
Before she left my room last week, I had to ask her one final question,"Do you think now that most people might be good?" Again, she seemed hesitant to say anything but replied, "Maybe. I'll think about it."
That, alone, made me feel that the trip was a success.
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Back to School - August 13, 2010
On Friday, I got through my annual August rite of passage - the first day of school.
When I was a child, I couldn't imagine that there was anyone on the face of the earth who had a harder time going back to school than a student. That is, until I became a teacher. I love my job, but it's difficult for teachers, too, to immediately get up to speed, especially when the teacher in this case had such a wonderful, life-changing summer experience in Turkey.
One of the things I enjoy most about the first week of school is having ex-students return to my classroom to say "hello." I laugh when a child, who might have thought I was an ogre the previous year when he/she was enrolled in my class, suddenly acts like I am his/her best friend.
I guess it works both ways. Some of the students who made me want to pull my hair out are some of the students I look back on with the most fondness.
This year's first day was especially meaningful to me because I had three students at different times in the day stop by to ask me about my trip to Turkey. Smiles broke out on all of their faces when they heard how well it went.
Since the students were no longer in my class and were now my "best friends," I asked them each what they thought. The answers ranged from "Wow!" to "cool" to "I never thought you'd make it."
Last year, one of my Friday visitors told me that he didn't think he could afford college. It was the moment I had been waiting for. "If Mr. Dickinson can survive in Turkey, you can go to college. Anything is possible." The boy laughed and said, "You're right." If anything, I will be able to draw upon my experiences in Turkey as a motivator for the rest of my teaching career.
I can see it now ... "You say you can't make the soccer team. Ten years ago, I survived in Turkey for a month with no money. If Mr. Dickinson can do it, you can do it."
I've also enjoyed the reactions of some of my fellow teachers. My favorite is from a teacher who said, "Dickinson. I still can't believe you actually tried that in the first place."
As I see more students, I'll let you know what they said.
Also, after careful consideration, I have decided to go ahead and write a book about my trip. I realize it will be a lot of work, but I think I have an unusual story to tell that might motivate someone else to do something that he or she is on the fence about right now.
Once again, I want to thank everyone who helped me this summer, either financially or through words of encouragement. It meant so much to me.
I'll keep you posted.
When I was a child, I couldn't imagine that there was anyone on the face of the earth who had a harder time going back to school than a student. That is, until I became a teacher. I love my job, but it's difficult for teachers, too, to immediately get up to speed, especially when the teacher in this case had such a wonderful, life-changing summer experience in Turkey.
One of the things I enjoy most about the first week of school is having ex-students return to my classroom to say "hello." I laugh when a child, who might have thought I was an ogre the previous year when he/she was enrolled in my class, suddenly acts like I am his/her best friend.
I guess it works both ways. Some of the students who made me want to pull my hair out are some of the students I look back on with the most fondness.
This year's first day was especially meaningful to me because I had three students at different times in the day stop by to ask me about my trip to Turkey. Smiles broke out on all of their faces when they heard how well it went.
Since the students were no longer in my class and were now my "best friends," I asked them each what they thought. The answers ranged from "Wow!" to "cool" to "I never thought you'd make it."
Last year, one of my Friday visitors told me that he didn't think he could afford college. It was the moment I had been waiting for. "If Mr. Dickinson can survive in Turkey, you can go to college. Anything is possible." The boy laughed and said, "You're right." If anything, I will be able to draw upon my experiences in Turkey as a motivator for the rest of my teaching career.
I can see it now ... "You say you can't make the soccer team. Ten years ago, I survived in Turkey for a month with no money. If Mr. Dickinson can do it, you can do it."
I've also enjoyed the reactions of some of my fellow teachers. My favorite is from a teacher who said, "Dickinson. I still can't believe you actually tried that in the first place."
As I see more students, I'll let you know what they said.
Also, after careful consideration, I have decided to go ahead and write a book about my trip. I realize it will be a lot of work, but I think I have an unusual story to tell that might motivate someone else to do something that he or she is on the fence about right now.
Once again, I want to thank everyone who helped me this summer, either financially or through words of encouragement. It meant so much to me.
I'll keep you posted.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Ripples Continue to Spread - August 1, 2010
Several people have asked me what my students had to say about my trip this summer to Turkey. In a couple of weeks, I head back to school. Once I have a chance to settle in and talk with them, I'll let you know about their reactions.
In the mean time, I wanted to share a message that I received last week. Before I left Turkey, I had the equivalent of $16 left in Turkish Lira, so I asked my host to give the money to the next Couch Surfer as a gift from the Traveling Teacher 2010 project. It seemed fitting, since I was showered with so much generosity during my journey.
It turned out that the recipient of that gift was a traveler from Tunisia, a country in North Africa. In his e-mail, Mohamed thanked me for the donation. "Actually, I couldn't believe it at first, and I said to myself this is another example of how great all Americans are."
I'm passing on the thanks to all of my donors because it was your money that made the gift possible.
I think this message is yet another example of the benefit of traveling overseas. Over the years, governments have often done a poor job of uniting the people of different cultures, but I believe a few personal contacts can go a long way toward changing the world.
In the mean time, I wanted to share a message that I received last week. Before I left Turkey, I had the equivalent of $16 left in Turkish Lira, so I asked my host to give the money to the next Couch Surfer as a gift from the Traveling Teacher 2010 project. It seemed fitting, since I was showered with so much generosity during my journey.
It turned out that the recipient of that gift was a traveler from Tunisia, a country in North Africa. In his e-mail, Mohamed thanked me for the donation. "Actually, I couldn't believe it at first, and I said to myself this is another example of how great all Americans are."
I'm passing on the thanks to all of my donors because it was your money that made the gift possible.
I think this message is yet another example of the benefit of traveling overseas. Over the years, governments have often done a poor job of uniting the people of different cultures, but I believe a few personal contacts can go a long way toward changing the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)