Here´s to the crazy ones.

Here's to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes... the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules... You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things... they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. Steve Jobs

  Yesterday, I watched a TED talk that inspired me to be each one of my students´

champion. Every kid needs a champion! 

   Contemplating this, it´s quite a big task, but somebody´s gotta do it, right.  I challenged myself the the last 30 days of teaching to be extraordinary.  To be a teacher that shared new things on a daily basis that weren´t necessarily relevant to the coursework or units, but relevant to life on a whole new level. And maybe, I am a rebel for it, and maybe I just see things differently and meaning differently like Steve Jobs suggested.  However, for now, this is a mission and an important one, because inspiration is integral to our lives as human beings.  We dance around happiness, looking for love, looking for light but really, we just need something to believe in and something to move us forward into action. 

   When I think back of all my professors, the ones that truly inspired.  I think of Lavada Nicholls, my photography teacher, from High school, who stood by my side as I fumbled towards photographic ecstasy over 4 years and came out with a small but developing eye for beautiful things, but probably more, particularly, the need for human beings to interact with each other and art.  

  I think of Mr. Kennedy, who asked me to stay after class in Expressive writing class.  Everyone knows that terror of having to stay after class and I immediately though I had done something wrong, when in fact, he wanted to praise me and encourage me to publish my work in a mainstream magazine.  My kwirky writing had hit the right note and sent me soaring into believing I was finally, a capable writer.

  When I think of the crazy ones, I think of Chandra Mohanty, who told me, "maybe Hamilton isn´t right for you, maybe you need something way out of your comfort zone."  Looking back, I know she knew me way before I knew myself.  

  You need to know that Bob Palusky, my pottery teacher, who watched me meticulously try to master the art of throwing pots and centering clay, stood by me, knowing that all that ridiculous pneumonia filled passion that I spent in the studio, would one day lead to some powerful hand sculptures.  Our professors that make us good don´t only push us to be funnier and smarter, they push us to go way outside of where we knew existed.  They push us to work harder even when we aren´t good at things.  They push us to want to be successful in things that are initially impossible.  What a big job they had.  What a bigger one I have nowadays with social media, globalism and increasing economic gaps in every small crack surrounding us.  

  Facebook rumor has it, it´s National teachers week and I have to say that being a teacher for the last 11 years hasn´t been a ride in the park.  It´s been a turbulent filled ride around the world, filled with tears, romance, depression, captivation, awe, beauty and sadness, but writing about it, makes me realize, how much I myself embody all those feelings on a daily or weekly basis.  Being surrounded by these emotions only really makes me feel more human. So, in honor of National teachers week, I fully support Steve Jobs´wise words because I would be aimlessly feeling for the light in the dark without those teachers that made me "think different." Without good teachers,making me smile until my face hurt, or smiling and nodding and knowing I would find my path, I would be still wandering through the fields looking for my part to share.  Because of good teachers, I have been blessed to share the love and adventures I find around the world with each one of my students in a hope to inspire equally, magic.