Students are the most important thing...

I have met such wonderful people in my year teaching here in Konya. Like many teaching positions, it is not the money, but the experiences, that fill the pockets. I enjoy the corollary moments outside of the classroom which build me as a person. One of my students, a lawyer, invited me after class to have "tuz tavuk", which is salt-baked chicken. It is prepared by taking a whole bird, giving it an egg wash, and some spices, then packing it in rock salt. The salt becomes like a clay shell, holding the heat while it bakes, and, I suppose, providing a stasis between flavor and over-spicing--the steam produced allows the salt to penetrate but not overwhelm the taste in the meat. (It wasn't salty to the taste--surprising!) I got to meet his two children, and his law partner, and staff. They were interested in his mastery of English, which is good--and in me, my story, my travel, my experience with Turkey.

The day was beyond any value anyone could have paid me. It was a priceless, wonderful day.

Teaching young people in Canakkale

Teaching young people in Canakkale is very satisfying--it makes me understand and respect more deeply the meaning of family. I read a quote today--"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." and I think I agree with her. I am glad to be in a position of learning something new every day.

What good students can do to be better

Good students inspire the teacher to new insights and better practices in the classroom. I have seen how innovative students are in approaching new ideas and how they can work together. The process helps improve my understanding of 'what to do' in facilitating the class experience. 

I want to be a part of 'Classroom 2.0', using time in- and outside the class walls to improve the speed and depth of learning for my students.

These guys make me feel good to be a teacher. For them, I want to always be improving my craft.