I have been teaching Spanish for the past eleven years and I have been able to experience the wonders of teaching, from good days and bad days to sad situations and happy endings. Altogether I would like to think I have been a successful teacher, but what exactly is successful and if I meet that definition, who sets the standard to measure it? According to the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary, the word “successful” means “gaining or having gained success.” Furthermore, I recall the phrase, "The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work." (Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi). I cannot say that my journey as a teacher is complete; there are more years to come and more work to do, I will never stop learning and teaching. I would like to think that my conscience as it grows every day, should be the judge for determining the standard by which to measure success.
As an educator, when reflecting upon myself and my work, I must look through a “window/mirror” of the future. In this way, looking through the window, I will see my former students on the other side utilizing the knowledge they acquired from me to the best of their capabilities. At the same time, I should be able to see the reflection of the values and character that I have tried to instill in the students.
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