Learning from our role models

By Katie DiGennaro
College of Education
Long Island University, C. W. Post
November, 2010

First, I would like to say I was nervous about this class. I do not really like speaking in front of large groups about emotional things. But once everyone started going, I realized that we were all in the same boat and all were there for one another. I thought that the role-model sharing activity was very interesting. I liked hearing what other people had to say about their role-models, and how they impacted each person's life.

Some of the stories that people shared were funny, sad, depressing, inspiring, and educating. I never thought I could learn so much from so many different people in our class. The ones that moved me the most were the ones where you could feel real passion. Lorenzo's story was very touching and made me realize that life is too short. You never know what will happen, so try to make the best of every day. I felt so touched that he wanted to share that story with the class because that is something that is truly meaningful and deep, and not a lot of people would be that open to a class. I enjoyed hearing that peoples role models differed. It went from family, to friends, to celebrities, and even co-workers. It was nice to see that different people can make a impact in different ways.

Overall I thought that the Role-Model Sharing Activity was a very good class, and also made the class closer. It is a lot easier to speak your mind in a class when you know everyone around you. Even Professor Boyanton was sharing some things with us that most teachers did not. It was also nice to hear her say that she had no problem sharing tears with the class, and being able to break the mold of a "typical" teacher sometimes. That is what I feel makes a good teacher to begin with. A person needs to have passion for the class, and the courage to keep that passion going. Coming from a family full of teachers, I hear everyday what my mom says about her school and how much she cares for her students, almost as much as she cares about me. Those are the teachers you strive to be, and those are the teachers that make a difference to everyone they teach.