Angie

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angiedw
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Angie
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Marion, IL
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11/06
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Education

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Livin' Life Large

Education > The Voice of One
 

The Voice of One

"The voice of intelligence. . . is drowned out by the roar of fear. It is ignored by the voice of desire. It is contradicted by the voice of shame. It is biased by hate and extinguished by anger. Most of all it is silenced by ignorance."
- Karl A. Menninger


I happened across this quote and was so touched by the words and meaning that I wanted to share it with you.
Teaching English for so many years gave me  an opportunity to introduce my students to various cultures, philosophies, and, yes, atrocities that existed and do exist within our society. I felt that my purpose as a teacher was not only to teach grammar, literature and writing, but to eliminate the very smallness of individuals that make them hate or abuse those that they fear for some reason. For little is gained from hatred or oppression, but much is gained from love and compassion.
Self discipline and self confidence were two traits that I thought important to instill in my students. By acquiring self discipline, all would be able to control those things which weaken them or strengthen them, to develop good habits and life styles, and to achieve success and well being. Self confidence was necessary in order for students to set goals and strive toward their fulfillment. Hopefully, they would never fear that they were inadequate or unprepared for whatever life had in store for them. I reminded them always that a person without dreams is like a broken winged bird, unable to soar to immeasurable heights.
Unfortunately, as I watch or read the news, many are not bound by the constraints of self discipline or intelligence, and I am inundated with prejudice, anger, hatred and ignorance.
 

posted on Sept 22, 2008 3:30 PM ()

Comments:

You are a credit to our profession.
comment by elderjane on Sept 25, 2008 6:03 AM ()
I wish every student had a teacher like you....
comment by marta on Sept 23, 2008 11:12 AM ()
I hated English classes until late in my college years when I took poetry and drama. I liked that one. My Jr High English teachers invoked fear not learning. You were a good one
comment by stiva on Sept 23, 2008 6:35 AM ()
You sound like you did an awesome job of teaching. I wish I had a teacher like you when I was in school.
comment by hopefields on Sept 23, 2008 2:31 AM ()
hello angie i agree with you mostly nasties no not much niceness

and its a shame to see a smile and good dead goes a long way so does compassion but if its not built in most ppl have no hope to obtain it



comment by oldroan on Sept 23, 2008 2:05 AM ()
Very nice...to leave behind those ripples of hope, the compassion for those that do...live forever in our hearts. Our descent in the opposite direction has been swift, and frightening...thank you
comment by strider333 on Sept 22, 2008 6:31 PM ()
an awesome & very true post. Mahalo
comment by panthurdreams on Sept 22, 2008 5:55 PM ()
Angie, you are SO right! to self-discipline & intelligence! Teachers do what they can!

It is a mystery to me why there is so much prejudice, anger, hatred, and ignorance in the world still today!
comment by sunlight on Sept 22, 2008 4:53 PM ()


You can only do so much. It's up to the students to catch your pearls. I didn't catch the adequate and prepared pearl, but then I wasn't one of your students.
comment by stiva on Sept 22, 2008 3:43 PM ()

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