Blog #10 What Inspires You?

Dear AP Calculus Students,

I'm interested in knowing what inspires you.  Your assignment for this week is to share one (or two) things that inspire you.  These may be quotes, pictures, videos, stories, etc.

Feel free to be creative with your post, and please be thoughtful.  :)  Due Friday 12.10.10 @ 11:59pm.

And to start, I'd like to share one of my inspirations:

"Education is one of the most powerful weapons with which you can use to change the world." -Nelson Mandela

Click here to watch a short video regarding education and school in Africa (via UNICEF and the Nelson Mandela Foundation).

Okay... so I chose an education quote.  Surprise, surprise.  I stumbled across Mandela's statement several years ago, and as I read it, I felt something inside of me move.  It was saying, "Yeah!  Preach it Nelson!"  Granted, Mandela was likely describing the education of children in South Africa, but I can only assume that he would feel the same for all children/people.  This notion, my bright AP Calculus students, is not only what challenges me to continue to pursue education as a profession, but it also encourages me to never stop being a student.


I think I've mentioned before that I consider myself a life long learner.  I love learning.  Yes.  I just said that.  I love learning.  I love knowing I have walked away from a class, a book, a video knowing more than I did before.  I love it when I have those "Aha!" moments.


The more I learn about the world (calculus included), the more open I am to other view points, the more empowered I feel to believe in a movement, the more I know how my knowledge can help others.  The more I learn, the more questions I have... which may lead to frustration or annoyance, but questions none the less.


All in all, the words of this peace activist have inspired me to never take my education for granted.


Mrs. Guthrie