Retrace the steps of Odysseys through Sicily, Malta and Greece to give birth to a cross-curricular unit on The Hero’s Journey, modern-day perceptions of Greek myths and the meaning of "home" as it relates to travelers and immigrants.
I can speak about mythology, The Odyssey, geography, maps, the role of the hero in modern literature, and SO MUCH MORE in a depth I can't describe! I want to write a book, I want to write curriculum, I want to share this knowledge! Also, my Spanish has reached a new level. I used Spanish throughout Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta-- everywhere-- with tour guides, with locals, in museums. Learning my content in my student's native language is such a gift. Thank you.
I have an incredibly overactive imagination, which has always fostered my love for literature. This journey has helped me dive even deeper into my imagination, seeing the connection between what is real and what is created by writers. I witnessed the locations that inspired Homer to write The Odyssey! I feel empowered to show students now only how they are like Odysseus, but also how they are like HOMER. They too, can write, create, and live forever in epic form.
My greatest personal accomplishment is that I planned the entire grant, alone, from Troy to Ithaca. I literally sailed in the footsteps of my hero, someone I've dreamed of and pretended to be since I was a child. I communicated in countries where I don't speak the language yet someone, with the glory of travel and humankind, the point came across. I was a world from anyone I knew, completely alone, yet I never felt alone because Odysseus and my text was with me.
For one, my students know that I received a grant using my words. They know that my experience is accessible to them if they simply write. They know that there are funders who provided for such an adventure, and that philanthropy astounds them. This alone opened their eyes to a new idea: creativity and giving back. As a teacher, I understand the journey to find home so much more vividly. I know a classic story in THEIR native language and I have the tools to show them how heroic they are.
Besides giving presentations and being a role model for my peers to TRY something new and dynamic, I plan on sharing my unit from PK-8! Teachers in 4th-6th will have direct access to my work, the 6th-7th teachers will be collaborating with me on a unit, my administration is incredibly proud of my work and is spreading the news to our sister schools, and even our community and parent helpers are excited to see what our students produce.
I want to shout our work from the mountaintops, whatever that mountaintop may be! I want to tell NPR, CPS, Telemundo; I want to tell parents and kids. I don't want such learning, such growth, and such a glorious grant and a glorious foundation to go unnoticed. Once our work is posted ad complete, we will bring in parents, families, community workers-- anyone we can! Most importantly, students will celebrate because THEY are reading a classic text because they are capable & worthy.
Absolutely! In fact, we're currently working together to gather supplies for victims of Hurricanes Irma and Maria! In regards to this grant specifically, a massive challenge in our community is seeing Spanish as an academic and creative language. My students tend to see it as "my mom's language" and feel removed. Embarking on an adventure that shows the beauty of Spanish and the strength of immigrants will speak to my community, state, and country.
I was given an opportunity to design a journey from scratch with the direct students in mind in which it would benefit. My intellect, passion and heart's work were validated and trusted. I felt not like just an educator; rather a policy maker, a change-maker, a ground-breaker. I've always had my nose and my heart in a book. Seeing the book come to life was so surreal and beautiful that it brought me back to who I am and reminded me of why I'm an educator: wonder, awe and autonomous learning.
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