The GWT Blog

Comment: Yael is my daughter's teacher. I love the way Yael shows us the reality that our children are living. I totally agree. I feel that we, as parents, need to motivate them more, not only make them feel that they need to be trained as professionals. They should understand and know, that values and being good citizens and human beings in a society is important and must also look beyond the concept. Educators like Yael is what we need, not only in Mexico, but in many parts of the world in order to show us that not only they, as educators, are responsible for our children, but we as parents and society should also be part of it and be able to transmit as Yael mentions , passion for life and to know your personal goals. Thank you very much for this.

Comment: I have had the privilege of working with Yael during the last three years and it is amazing the dedication and commitment that she puts in everything she does. Children love her and she spreads among all of us her enthusiasm every day, I have witnessed her tireless efforts to reach ever day further. Mexico would be a better place if there were more people like her. We are very proud to have her as part of our school community. I am sure that we’ll continue surprising ourselves with more about her.

Comment: Yael-I agree with what you said about children needing to face dilemmas and solving problems for themselves. In the USA, parents often fight battles for their children, even in college. If a child is not allowed to fend for themselves, with appropriate guidance from their parents, that child may never truly become an independent adult, capable of success. I enjoyed reading your blog and rest assured you that you are a fighter and dreamer, and usually successful in getting to the goals that you set. Lois

Comment: As Yael, I agree that there's a lack of responsibility and long range vision of our actions. One of the most important things some lose with age is the ability to ask why so many times a day. We shouldn't let our inner child disappear ever. Each and every one of us needs to take responsibilities beyond our comfort zone and share what was given with those whom we are destined to help.

Comment: Thank you Yael for your words! As long as I was reading this I was thinking on how our world is turning more and more to a postmodern view without knowing it consciously, and I like that, because a postmodern approach talks about being inclusive and empathic with others (also nature) while taking responsiblity on the impact we cause, and how we change during the process. Considering myself a dreamer too, I wish more people had your point of view, I personally share it, and that is why I am a teacher too. I think we can get an homeostasis between ourselves reaching for happiness, getting the results we want, and at the same time taking that out to transmit and inspire others, for me this would represent a real connection between us, as unique human beings, and the rest of the world. I believe we can get this by just doing what we love. In my case that would be: helping others to find their path, even if that means they disagree with me. For me education is the answer. Katia

Comment: I totally agree with you Yael. In Mexico, we sometimes pretend to be "perfect", we love the "confort zone" and sometimes we forget about the important things in life. As leaders in this area, we should try to encourage the new generations to be part of the change we are working on.

Comment: Yael has been always a dreamer and a doer; always has done her best effort in everything in wich she gets involve; I´m happy to read, that she is not alone, that youth in Mexico is becoming aware of the bunch of problems that have to be resolved. Leading is a very important issue... you can do it!!

Comment: I am a mother of three little ones, and I can assure you: there are committed teachers, like Yael, that DO make a difference in a child´s life: when they give love, support, guide, when the children feel they believe in them, give them example of a life full of passion by their teaching... that makes a difference. Parenting could be the most challenging thing you could face when taking it with full responsibility, and it is also the most rewarding. If each one of us tries to make a difference, is the way we contribute to a better life for our children. And is through children that we leave a print in this world. Thank you Yael for inspiring.

Comment: Yael, I'm sure that with your enthusiasm, creativity and hard work you are making a difference in your students' life. What you describe as Mexico can be found in many different places. You are right that parents, educators and children have to work hand in hand to build a better future!

Comment: Yael, I absolutely agree with you, I think the real problem in our schools here in Mexico, is that teachers only do what they are expected to do, the minimum required effort, what we need is exactly what you put in your text, "peolple that will walk that extra mile." The world could use more teachers like you :)

Comment: Yael, even if I didn't know you, your writing would be enough to know that you exude passion from every pore. That is undeniably enviable, and it is something we should all strive for; I do think, however, that you are one of the lucky ones to "be" like that. And thus comes my first question: do you think that people are born or made passionate? Or more specifically, do you believe that passionately teaching today's children will have a significant impact 20 years or so from now, or is it something that could take generation after generation of constant work to really make a difference in the mexican culture? My thought is, however long it takes, it's worth it. My second thought still has a lot to do with being passionate. Getting back to your example of the wealthy parent that works a lot and therefore does not have enough time to be with his or her children, well, what if his or her passion is actually work? Is neglecting his children "worth it"? I don't think anything's worth neglecting your child. But if we go somewhere less extreme, is it ok for a parent to miss one of his children's soccer game because he attended a presentation he had been looking forward too? Because it is his passion? I've no idea if there is a correct answer. If there is, it would probably go in the line of "en el término medio está la virtud". But I digress. I just want to add that if labor is cheap and underrated in Mexico, teaching is sadly one of the best examples of that. But people like you do make a difference, and hopefully this situation will change sooner rather than later. But even if changes later, it will have been worth it. Because if school is a second home for kids, teachers are literally their second parents, so the influence you have on our future is palpable. Thank you Yael!

Comment: Sofia, my daughter is the luckiest girl for being, for two years, Yael´s student. Is it posible that in the future she has teachers with such spirit??That really worries me.. I believe that a good education is a combination of what a kid learns at home, but also of the daily experiences in school, sports, trips and knowing different kinds of people.. I agree with Yael that what a kid mostly needs its a family, to support and share. Kids need time, that you listen to their ideas and show them how wonderfull is life. To apreciate nature, their body and all the things that sorround them. There is nothing compared to a happy and secure kid!! Yael thanks for sharing this big responsability with us!

Comment: I want to be Yael's student

Comment: Can we influence on the brain “thirstiness” for passion? I have no idea, and would love to go learn more about it… I think that active participation is a big motivation for change. We all think, but we do not all act. Certainly, expressing our thoughts might be the first step. Thanks for your contributions and for sharing. I am learning a lot from all your contributions. If I did not respond to comments on the first day, it was not because I had not seen them… but because I wanted to read more, question myself, and try to reach to clearer conclusions before posting a response. Only, I did not end up with a clearer answer… but with more and deeper questions. Today I don’t just question Mexico’s current situation and its economy, our role as adults, as drivers of change, or as “inspirational” models. Today, I wonder about the definition of “passion”: Is it an instinct? In order to survive… what comes first, passion or necessity? It might be “obvious” that necessity is the answer…But if necessity becomes a personal desire and our survival focuses on the emotional beyond the physical… then, what comes first? I wonder what Kant intended to say with “Sapere Aude”? What causes mediocrity, stagnation, and desire to remain in a comfort zone? From where does fear for failure, or on its contrary, the “drive” for attempting arises? And as you ask… will it have an inspiring effect on the long term? As Mexicans, we are educated through an established educational system; as human beings, we are born in preexisting social structures and in most cases, in homes with inherited religions. Since I prefer not to get into politics and / or religion… I question myself about education. Today, I do not compromise with a school curriculum or program that pretends to mold a student or a teacher, with a status or religion that defines a person. I do not compromise with the fact of defining, molding or classifying… I simply do not compromise with whoever compromises… The dictionary¹ defines the term “passion” as the person’s impetuous inclination toward what he desires, a strong and continuous emotion that dominates over reason and guides all behavior. If I return to Kant on his response to “What is Enlightenment?” as suggested by a comment, and to his answer: ¡Sapere Aude! ¡Have courage to use your own understanding! – Kant compares or describes “Enlightenment” as the moment in which every man leaves immaturity behind, and as a result, gets to know himself and his own understanding. How do I relate this with passion? I connect it with passion and with the fear for failure, to get to know ourselves and go beyond what is taught and established…To seek being and educating humans that are able to question themselves, that do not get satisfied easily and try to learn more about themselves every day… human beings that take time to reflect about life, about their present and about what they are looking for in their future… Again, to understand what they are passionate about and accomplish it. I then, agree with your comments. As parents, teachers, students… as the – dreamer – inner child we all have sometimes forgotten about… we must ask and question every day. We must leave our comfort zone and fulfill our responsibilities, be ethical people, generate and have an impact while we do so. Now, if I think about the posted question… “Are people born or made passionate?”… It may not sound logical for some, but it occurs to me compare passion with biological thirstiness. Why do I compare it? So… my body receives water daily… but if I exercise, if I run, if I eat something salty, my body will require more water. Now, every day I learn something new and discover interesting things, but, if there is a motivation, if someone or something “encourages” me to keep going, or “inspires” me to keep questioning myself… if more doors get opened, and I live in a society that stimulates me to keep going… then, probably, my passion could increase. I do not know this for sure but… As we need water to survive, we will also always enjoy getting a little more if we get thirsty. I would like to think that we are not wondering, or waiting for someone to “enlighten” us or to generate the changes; that we dare to get to know ourselves and at the same time, consider ourselves capable of being change generators. What I can assure is that a strong impact can be everlasting. Can anyone recall an amazing teacher? Someone who made an impact and changed your life for any reason? Can you think of someone who is passionate about something in particular? Do you think passion has been “contagious” in any circumstance? About parents… and the question about work and their kids, I question myself about the same issue. Again, some parents may be accomplishing a social role, instead of a personal desire… Is family a personal desire for everyone or a social role that we are playing and should fulfill? But again, it is also valid to want to start a family and have passions beyond home; and therefore, the family triangle would interfere in here, the role playing, and the establishment of priorities in each home – on which each family makes its own decisions. I really appreciate all of your comments… I learned a lot more than what I imagined I would. Finally, while I was reading Kant’s third thesis of “Idea for a Universal History from a Cosmopolitan Point of View”, I ran into the following: “…And yet that only the latest of the generations should have the good fortune to inhabit the building on which a long line of their ancestors had (unintentionally) labored without being permitted to partake of the fortune they had prepared. “ ² As much as I understand this, I really hope… that even if we don’t get to inhabit the building, we can partake in the fortune of what we are laboring. ¹ (2002). El pequeño Larousse Ilustrado. Colombia: Ediciones Larousse. ² Kant, I. (2008) Filosofía de la Historia: Qué es la Ilustración. Argentina: Caronte Filosofía.

Comment: dear yael - mexico resonates with very similar struggles as does india. Most Indian classrooms are characterized by rote-learning, reciting, and teacher-centered education which does not encourage independent thinking or creativity...As a result, little learning actually takes place: 25% of children in class I cannot read basic alphabets or numerals. 42% of children in class V are unable to exhibit the learning and comprehension capability they should have attained in class II. Denied access to good quality education and to English education, most are unable to even dream of better opportunities for their children, perpetuating a cycle of poverty. With the situation looking as grim as it seems, the question we often ask ourselves is - 'how dare we be optimistic'!!and therein lies the magic of the profession that we chose to take up - that you spend your days and nights troubled with. we dare, because otherwise how futile will our lives be if we cannnot get our children to have a 'nostalgia for the future'. of course it will mean we will have to dream up a world that is better - but as you correctly state - we will also have to equip our children with the tools to address this dream and make it a reality. as someone wisely said - 'we may not achieve everything we dream. but we cannot achieve anything UNLESS we dream". so, more power to you and your dreams......love you!

Comment: Yael, you made my think about my work as a mom, and I`m not sure if I´m doing rhe right thing, as you said, I`m too worried to educate and to set a good example but besides these, the best thing I can teach him is to do everything with passion, whith love, with comminment and enthusiasm, these will give him best results in everything. Thanks for your help and your advises, you are always there for us and that is priceless.......love you¡

Comment: Yael, you ask many questions; some I have asked myself before, while others are completely new and have me brainstorming quite a bit. And I can only agree with your conclusion: that we should strive for something bigger than ourselves. If we see the results of our actions, lucky us; if not, we should hope that our children’s children do and that the world is a better place because of what we do here, on a daily basis and in the long term. Getting back to our main topic, just like I mentioned in my previous post, I agree that passion is the most important catalyst for changing the way the education system works in Mexico and other countries, which in turn translates into changes for the better in absolutely everything, from more beautiful beaches to a safer country; from more and better jobs to a happier life. I want to add, however, that passion should be accompanied by a little reason. I hope I don’t sound like a party-pooper (it’s really not my intention), but I do think that when passion is put to work on practical matters, and there are specific goals accompanying it, it becomes much more effective. Like you say, many people dream but not all of them act. I do see some sort of chronological order in this though: first you must be passionate about something and only then could you start reasoning on what’s the best way to make it happen. Then again, passion is the catalyst. I also find it a little hard when ethics are dragged into the discussion. I’ll start with an example, just because it’s easier: would it be the right thing to bribe a government official so he approves an education package that you have implemented, one into which you put all of your passion and reason, one that you know will have a beneficial impact in the community? One package with many goals, among which could be ending corruption in the future? Is that a justifiable sacrifice? Personally, I would probably say that if there are no other options available, the sacrifice of bribing the official could be worth it: he is one person and could die in relatively few years; your education project could have more lasting impact and on many children. But again, is it really worth it? Finally, regarding your question on “what did Kant intend to say with sapere aude?”, my guess is that he meant something in the line of another quote that goes like this: “Those who danced were thought insane by those who could not hear the music”.