Inspirational Quotations

Earlier this month, some of us on the NJTESOL/NJBE Executive Board were sent an encouraging quote, “The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Nelson Mandela

Here are some others related to Thanksgiving and teaching.

“When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.” Dalai Lama
As we were having a conversation, the student receptionist for the ESL tutoring center at Bergen Community College made this comment, “When I think about the circumstances of other people in the world, I wonder why I’m so lucky to be able to live here.” Diana
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
“Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.” Rosa Parks
“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” Maya Angelou
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” Desmond Tutu
“More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other’s well-being, is a source of happiness.” Dalai Lama
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” Aesop
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” Warren Buffett
“As knowledge increases, wonder deepens.” Charles Morgan
“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” Malala Yousafzai

Collected by Marilyn Pongracz, BCC ESL Tutoring Supervisor, NJTESOL/NJBE Technology Coordinator

Announcements

2024 Spring Conference Silver Sponsor

NJTESOL/NJBE Essex-Union Chapter Presents: Starting off Right: A Bilingual/ESL Conversation about ACCESS for Students
December 4, 2024, 4:30-5:30, Linden Public Library, 31 E. Henry Street, Linden, NJ 07036
Let’s talk shop and plan for the future together!
Everyone is welcome!

Register for our next PLC event, How to Teach MLs with Reading Difficulties to Read in Spanish When They are Past the They Were Expected to Learn to Read, Wednesday, December 11 @7pm

There will be no Advocacy Meeting in December. Thank you for all of your hard work this year, the Advocacy Committee is grateful for all you do for MLs and their families every day!

Registration for the 2025 Spring Conference is open!
Theme – Intersectionality: Shaping Experiences and Creating Opportunities
Two components to choose from:
In-Person Conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
May 20, 21 & 22 (Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday) – All Three Days: General Interest, Content Area Instruction/ESL Pre-K through 12, Higher Ed, Teacher Ed, Adult Ed, K-12, Dual Language/Biliteracy
OR
Virtual Library Conference: Access starting on May 27 through August 21
Take advantage of discounted early registration through January 31, 2025
or regular registration through April 25, 2025

Nominate the member of the month!
NJTESOL/NJBE has so many amazing teachers throughout our state that it would be fitting to highlight some of them. Nominees could be colleagues who are available to answer questions about ELLs or the Bilingual Education code; educators who support students and their families beyond the classroom with projects, college applications, and extracurricular activities; someone who joins committees in support of ELLS or to implement positive change for the community. The nominee must be a member of NJTESOL/NJBE. Nomination Link

A Chorus of Reasons Why We Teach

An episode of ABC’s Nightline shined a national spotlight on the water challenges we face daily at Wilkins Elementary School in Jackson, Mississippi. In addition to ongoing water issues that make the school’s water dangerous to drink, we’ve used portable restrooms outside of our building where teachers have had to fight off stray dogs to keep students safe. Under these conditions, why would teachers teach? Here are some of our reasons. The dedicated teachers and staff at a Jackson, Mississippi, elementary school share what keeps them committed to teaching.

Wilkins Elementary School Educators
Issue 4, Spring 2023

“I teach because teaching gives me the opportunity to positively influence, inspire and educate our future,” explains fourth grade teacher Ammie Stewart. “I want students to know that they can truly excel. Teaching goes far beyond knowledge, and my students get to experience that in my classroom. Relationships are built that create opportunities for lifelong learning. I have been truly blessed in continuously helping students understand that they can make a positive impact on the world.”

“I teach simply because I love building relationships and making a difference in the lives of my scholars,” remarks third grade teacher Danielle Dixon. “When I see the light bulb come on, it lets me know that what I am doing is not in vain. I teach my students that we are a family and to always show love to each other. I teach to help make a difference in our future.”

“I teach because I pledge to inspire growth in my students by giving them tools to take into other disciplines and into other domains of their lives,” second grade teacher Linda Porter says. “It is my belief that every student is capable of tasting the same passion that I feel for teaching by becoming collaborators in the exploration of learning.”

“Each day in the classroom is an opportunity to mold the hearts and minds of scholars to become productive citizens who care about others, take stands for justice and are lifelong lovers of literacy,” says third grade teacher Kerri Harrion. “Teaching is not only my passion but my calling.”

“Teaching Our Future”
By Ammie Stewart

I am serious, because serious I am,
Teaching my future, your future, our future
Isn’t about glitz or glam.
It’s what I choose to do, sometimes with little rest,
Because my future, your future, our future
Deserves only my best.

You can find more inspiration here.

Notebook LM

and

5 Ways to Use AI-Generated Images in Your Classroom

Inspirational Quotations

Announcements

A Chorus of Reasons Why We Teach

ARTICLES: