Saturday 21 December 2013

11 facts about me

I would like to thank Shelly S Terrell for tagging me in this blog challenge. I couldn't believe it and I felt really honoured. So, how could I refuse?  I would gladly share some facts about me.

Let's start then... 11 astonishing facts about me. They are randomly listed.

1. Everybody knows me as Jo. 
2. In the 3rd grade my mum (English teacher) decided that I wasn't good at English and I started German lessons.
3. I can't live away from the sea.
4. I avoid travelling by ship. I get bored and I get seasick quite quickly.
5. I fell from the 2nd floor, was hit by a car, burnt with an iron. Yes, I guess I have 4 more lives.
6. Ι can't resist gadgets.
7. I have agoraphobia.
8. I love people who make me laugh.
9. I am a secret treasurer. Trust me with a secret and I will keep it as a treasure.
10. I love sharing quotes in Facebook.
11. I believe that knowledge and travelling are life investments that nobody can take from you.

Now, shall we move to the next phase of the mission? I will answer Shelly's questions with no fear at all.
  1. What is a goal you hope to accomplish from your bucket list? Visit as many places as I can around the world.
  2. What is one goal you hope to accomplish in 2014? I won't let anybody or anything get me down.
  3. If you could host a reality TV show, what would it be about? A student with specific learning needs. How do they cope with learning and how teachers can help.
  4. How do you blow off steam? I take deep breaths and I walk around the room.
  5. What is one of your personal theme songs? CATS- Memory
  6. What are you incredibly proud of accomplishing? I am proud of passing the University entry exams in my hometown and completing the German high-school diploma at the age of 18.
  7. What was one of your favourite gifts? It was and still is. The diamond cross my husband gave me when our daughter came along.
  8. How have you dealt with a past failure? I have learnt from it and let it go.
  9. What is one piece of advice that has helped you throughout life? "Give yourself time.  Time heals everything."
  10. What was your favourite toy when you were a child? Typical- a teddy bear. I used to sleep hugging it.
  11. What’s your favourite piece of art? Clocks- Dali
And now it is my turn to interrogate the 11 bloggers I am tagging...

1. What is your favourite film?
2. What is that you can't stand?
3. What kind of music did you use to listen to when you were a teenager?
4. If you could change anything in the world, what would it be?
5. Who do you have as a role model?
6. What is your favourite book that you have read more than once?
7. What would you ask from a genie?
8. What is your biggest dream?
9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
10. How do you deal with loss?
11. What would you like to change in you?

Please, give a big applause to the bloggers that follow!!!
1. Dimitris Primalis
2. Aphro Gkiouris
3. Ochendo George Raptopoulos
4. Evridiki Dakos
5. Roseli Serra
6. Sophia Mavridi
7. Natasa Bozic Grojic
8. Bernadette Wall
9. Papadeli Sophia
10. Maria Theologidou
11. Vicky Loras







Monday 28 October 2013

So thankful! #Goal 15

Last night I was thinking who I should thank for my education and inner evolution. You may think I would start by thanking all my teachers at school or my professors at the university. I am sorry but I will disappoint you. I am not going to go through the typical procedure. I truly tried to bring a teacher to my mind but I failed. I don't feel that there was an educator who inspired me or built my confidence.I agree that most of them did their job professionally and taught me all the necessary material and skills to move on but that was as much as they could. I am thankful to my parents who offered me the best education!  

Who I really believe that I should thank are all of you: the educators at conventions, at webinars, on social media! With most of you I may not even meet face to face but all your comments and encouraging words keep me moving and developing. I feel that we share common ideas and look at the future full of hope! You inspired me to set new goals and share my thoughts!

So, simply keep inspiring! 

Sunday 27 October 2013

Update my Digital Footprint #Goal 19


Reading Shelly Terrell's post I realized that I haven't updated my bio in several social media networks. I have an account in  FacebookTwitterabout.meLikedinGoogle+. I must admit my favourite one is Facebook since it was my first and oldest account in a social media network. Then I tried Twitter but I must confess that I don't visit it much as I find it too impersonal. My husband does not agree with me where he has over 5,000 followers!!! I guess men want brief and fast posts... As for Google+, it is quite convenient since I can share my blog posts directly by just a click. It is also connected with my gmail account and I get informed instantly whether there are comments on any of my posts.
Likedin is just for professional reasons and I can't say that it is the right means for me to promote my work. However, I find many colleagues there and I like that I can list specific teaching skills. They are well organized and promoted. My about.me account is directly connected with my Facebook account which is very handy and I think there is no harm if you register in different social media. It is a way to show your work and promote your goals.
Shelly also suggests Flavors.me and Vizify but I will pass for the time being because I have no more time to spend on social media and I get stressed when I cannot keep up. But I have them on my mind.
Keep posting and sharing! You never know what opportunities are waiting around the corner!!!


Thursday 17 October 2013

Do I dare to dare them?

Having read Shelly Sanchez Terrell's post I dared to take the challenge and share my dream with you. For the last two-three weeks I have set my mind on a project about spreading literature into the world. My inspiration was Theodora Papapanagiotou who aims at cultural exchange and I really enjoyed participating in her project. Then, at some point, I posted poems of Greek writers both in Greek and English. That was the sparking! I started thinking how I can span my students, the English lesson and the world... And that was it!

The idea started growing in me. We chose three Greek literary works ( two poems and a text) and ever since we work on them. The participants are primary school pupils, high school students and freshmen. Their levels are A1+, B2 and C2 respectively. The reaction of the students? It couldn't be better! I haven't seen them so involved in a procedure before. They spontaneously loved the idea!

What are they gaining? 
The list could go on endlessly: they do research, scan texts, highlight the main information, talk about meanings, language treasures, emotions, write down their thoughts, compare the original text with the translated one. And all these in English! What more could a teacher ask for?

What am I gaining?
Well, first of all, I dared to take the challenge; there is more work from my part. I have to sit down and interpret the texts, do my own research, read analysis of experts.
I dared to dream big and be determined to make it true! Will I succeed? Does it really matter? I will have inspired my students, I might have contributed just a little bit in their development, not just linguistically but mentally as well. And if I manage to get English teachers around the world to be involved in the project and share their national literary treasures, that would be my best achievement... so far.

Sunday 13 October 2013

Think out of the box

Sunday evening, just a few hours left before a new week begins.

All day long I was thinking about the project I have started with my students about literature exchange around the world. I admit that this new idea stuck in my mind gave me new perspectives about teaching. I do not stay in the traditional way. I try to get my students involved, show them that there is so much they can gain from working on a literature piece.

Their gleaming eyes, their broad smiles are worth the attempt. I feel that I have inspired them, made them think out of the box. It is a challenge for me to arouse feelings, emotions in them by asking questions. I can't accept as an asnwer that they feel nothing when they read a poem or a text. It means they do not make an effort.

As for English teaching you can imagine how much they learn and practice. They talk about the topic, do research and scan English websites, write down paragraphs, intepret context and the list goes on.

What have I learnt? I have worked on new ways of thinking. It is much easier to come up with new ideas and how I can fulfill them. It is much easier to come closer to my students, share thoughts and enthusiasm

Thursday 19 September 2013

What is going on?!

Now that I have finished my lessons  and have some time for myself, I just want to sit down and share my thoughts with you about the last events in Greece.

Two days ago, a young man lost his life by someone who is a member of Golden Dawn (the extreme right party of our Parliament) because of his beliefs. It was a shock for me like for thousands of my country people and the first emotion that emerged in me was anger!!! Anger because I realise that we do not live in a free country. Yes, my country is not occupied by some conquerors! Yes, we have democracy and we vote for our government and the parties of our Parliament! But how can we claim that we are free since our rights to our beliefs get violated and people get beaten or lose their lives for that?

I strongly support everyone's right to have their political views as long as they do not violate my rights. History has proved that extreme political views lead to violence, human rights abuse. I am sorry but I just don't get it... Haven't they heard of Hitler? Haven't they heard of dictatorships? What makes them believe that they can enforce their policy and views? Trying to rule the other with force cannot last. It has an expiration date. It is a fact.

I pity those people. They don't realise that they are pawns in somebody's political games. They are not free to think for themselves. I know that crisis has led many people to impoverishment. Poverty can make you lose your dignity, change your principles. It is our choice which direction we take.  Should we blame the others or should we change the situation?

Greece, I am sorry but you have to take action! Stop staying numb and moaning... Nobody is going to save you! It is your duty to the generations to come, the young generations NOW!




Monday 16 September 2013

Sacrifices... are they worthwhile?

As I was expecting, Theodora Papapanagiotou was the first to ask and encourage me to start writing in my blog. I had no doubts. She is always there to urge people and support them. I guess it is in a teacher's nature...

Since I am a teacher and an owner of a language school, she wants to know if I can respond to all responsibilities at the same time. Well... the answer is simple.... No, I can't....Although I want to believe and try, it is impossible for me and I admire those who can meet the expectations. One thing or another must be sacrificed.... We should not forget that teachers are human beings; we have perfections and flaws, our own personalities, family, social and educational background.

I must admit it... at the age of 30s, when I took over the business ( a language school is still a business), I was determined to succeed. I was sure with hard work and responsibility I could make it to the top!!! My priority of course were my students; their studies, their success in the exams, to teach, to support , encourage them. Business came second. I was sure (and still am) that the results of my students will be the best advertisement of my work. But this is not the case... I soon realised that all my colleagues have good results, we all do good work and all our students (and their parents, of course) are pleased with and love us... So, I reached the point to make a decision.... which part should I sacrifice??? Teaching or business???
Well, I had already sacrificed my personal life... I missed my daughter's childhood. When she was at nursery and elementary school, I was at home and when she returned, I had to leave for my lesson. How many times did I have to miss concerts, performances? I couldn't take up an activity or learn a hobby. I am thankful to my family for their understanding and support but still I was not pleased...

Now, at the age of 40s (call it the 40s crisis?), I look at my priorities from another perspective. I have decided to sacrifice the business woman in me. I love teaching, I love sharing knowledge. I know that I contribute to somebody's education, the ever lasting investment. I realised due to the crisis that they can take you everything but they can't take your knowledge and experiences. It is time to devote some time for myself, my own evolution, my family.

I still run my business but it is not my priority. Times are hard and the best we can do is to have a good time in the classroom. I have decided to enjoy the school year with my students. At least, we will have the time of our lives!!! Any more questions???