Can I change the world from the classroom?

Ellen Goodman once said: “I have never been especially impressed by the heroics of people convinced they are about to change the world. I am more awed by those who struggle to make one small difference.” What does it mean to change the world? I have always wondered that myself. Does it mean to make great actions to impress the rest of the people?

I am truly convinced that changing the world starts by each one of us. This idea of doing my bit gives me the hope that just and only one little action can start a great change. That's exactly what we do as teachers. Now, doing our bit starts a cycle that becomes a never ending story because it includes other people, and the cycle begins. As teachers, we have the possibility to change the day of our students, to make them believe in temselves, to encourage them to improve in every area of their lives, to give them hope, to walk with them and to teach them that there is no roof in life but their own fears! Because teaching is not only transmiting academic knowledge but teaching with everything we do at every moment and the way we walk in our life. If you can inspire one of your students to help someone in need, you are changing the world. If you can teach your students to be responsible, you are changing the world. If you teach well and teach your students to do it so, you are changing the world. 

I think that as teachers, we are not aware of the great potential we have in our hands. Sometimes the everyday maelstrom makes us forget of the great things we can do in our classrooms. But we should never forget that "One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world" (Malala Yousafzai)