Hi Ben –
I am so excited to be able to tell you that I am breaking through. For the first time in two years, I can begin to relax and be comfortable with who I am in front of my students. I am not feeling constantly judged and scrutinized. You know how trying that first (and to an extent) that second year was for me. You were there to help me through it. In all of my classes this year I have begun with personalized work in Latin, and I have no doubt that this is the way to go, and no student attitude will sway me from making my students the center of my Latin work. And, I’m no longer teaching those kids who were infected with fear.
A Spanish teacher named Kristi Lentz contacted me. Apparently you and others at IFLT recommended that she contact me when she is in Berkeley. Really positive and eager to learn more about CI. Having her positive presence in my classroom was great for me. I also put her in touch with Don Read.
The following Latin text [ed. note: see the next post on this topic for that text] is the result of 9 days of CWB based entirely on student cards (with names and drawings) and our conversations about them. On day 11, I gave them this reading, and they could read and comprehend, even translate it without difficulty. This is first year Latin.
Thank you again for helping me to get to this point. There are challenges ahead, but I feel like I can deal with whatever comes my way, because I have faith in myself as a compassionate teacher. You had faith that I could get to this, even when I wasn’t sure.
With love,
John