Looking forward

I have always been picky with mentors, because I’ve had very good mentors or teachers. The number of good mentors have outweighed the occasional bad eggs.

What exactly is a mentor. A mentor must be:
1. passionate in his/her field
2. must excel in that profession
3. a sharer
4. has the best interests of the student at heart

..the list goes on, but this is what has kept me fascinated to a course when I meet an excellent and learned mentor.

Lately, I’ve met a person whose passion about her work has made her excel in the field of teaching. I barely know her since we’ve only met three times ( I opted to take education units in order to take the L.E.T.) but in those 3 meet-up’s my instructor who happens to be an elementary school principal exudes the passion and the confidence that comes from the heart. A heart that seeks the best for each and every child enrolled in her school. What’s interesting is the fact that these kids come from the poorest of the poor in the city. She has kids who call a push-cart “home.” Yet, through her conviction with the help of socio-civic organizations the school is making a difference in the lives of these children.

I want to talk about my niece Ellie, nicknamed “Burgur.”

Ellie is 6 years old, a prep student at CSA. She’s WORD SMART but finds MATHS challenging. Her typical day starts at 6a.m. when her minder (yaya) ( Ate Tin-Tin) tries to wake up her. Mind you it’s not an easy task to wake up someone who’s already awake!. Ellie has snuggled either next to me or “bad” Uncle Elmo  after commandeering my blanket, savoring the cold blast from the ac. This she does everytime she hops to my room, looking for human warmth since her mommy and tatay are already out of the room.

Conversations

Have you ever tried to engage a child in meaningful conversations? If you haven’t you’re missing a lot! Kids will bring you a different perspective; something an adult stands to gain just by having a dialogue with one.

I’ve always been curious to know what’s in the mind of a 6 year old. Earlier, I had asked what thoughts come to mind when she wakes up. Does she worry about having no food on the table; no supply of Lactum ( her favorite drink, she consumes 6 packs a day) no car or driver to bring her to school? She was silent for a moment seemingly reflecting on my questions. Ater a few seconds she answered that she doesn’t really think of anything at all. That her view of life is based on the routine she has everyday i.e. CSA in the morning. Homework and Kumon after the afternoon nap; television ( cartoon network, disney, kidzco) and National Bookstore is her favorite hang-out of all.

Dateline: Makati 20 November
              1:11 a.m.

This is my initial foray to the world of blogging. I am definitely “LOOKING FORWARD” to be a full-fledged netizen by be coming a blogger.

I have no idea what the posts will be about. As far as I’m concerned anything goes, this will probably a smorgasboard of what ever comes to mind