Teach With Yur Heart

Teach With Your heart
We have completed the book and discussed it in class. I however do not feel that the story is complete. As we had discussed the last time in class some of us want to know what is happening to the students and to Erin today.
Erin is away at a speaking engagement when she gets the news that her dad has passed away. It took this major event for her to realize how much she had missed or given up for her teaching and for her students. I often wondered throughout the book if she was using her students to replace the solidarity she felt at home. Perhaps the connection she made with her student was made so powerful and was accomplished as easily as it was, as she herself felt as if she did not belong anywhere. She received no support from her colleagues or her husband and at first even her dad cautioned her.
Her dad became a great strength for Erin to rely on that she did not think would ever not be there. She continued to drive herself and did not deal with many personal issues at all. It was mentioned in class that there needs to be balance between ones personal life and their professional life. Some students identified with Erin as they see themselves not as a workaholic but as someone who works to cope with other stresses in their lives. I personally think that it easier to achieve balance in a relationship/job aspect after one or the other has mature. I do not think that having a new career and a new marriage or relationship blend well together. If having a career is important to you there is a chance that you will neglect the relationship and grow apart instead of together. If having a good relationship is important that your career may be neglected and not progress as you had envisioned. Erin gave up a lot in her life however she may have found the stability in her career so that now she can give a little more attention to the personal aspects of her life.
I found it interesting that in class we were judging Erin and her life as well as her book and the part of the importance of the book was that we should not judge people as it shows prejudices. Over all I liked the book, it was not however something that I would seek out to read. Due to my concentration (Special Education) I have read more books about abuse and cultural differences that actual diversity in the classroom. I will definitely take different aspects of this book and put them to use in my career.