Word’s power.

Well, this is the first time that I do a blog, so I do not know where should I start. But okay, I’ll give it a try! Let’s say that Doctor Berry’s class has many important aspects that I would like to highlight. Demo Fridays are peculiar classes where Raul shows us the practical way of methodologies and how we can apply them in a classroom. I honestly enjoy these spaces, because they are more dynamic and we laugh a lot (he jokes more on Fridays).

One of the most critical Demo Friday (so far) was when he introduced the Slam Poetry. Well, he showed us some examples of how Slam Poetry looks and what they are about. I must say that some of them were funny, and others were so deep. But, they were hilarious or profound depending on the expression of the words. And here is where the emphasis of words gets in since words are the way we express our ideas, our thoughts, our claims.

That’s why I highlight a phrase he said during the class (with a pretty serious tone, actually). He said: “You have the most powerful weapon in the world, the word.” Of course, that was the first time that I heard something like that, but, if you delve in the meaning of it, it makes sense.

The impact of the words in people’s lives has been recognized by many. A word can help someone get out of depression, but also a word can get someone into depression. We all have been witnesses of how a word, can have a shock on someone’s day. “Hey, is that a new haircut? It looks great” or “Wow, what a beautiful dress” are some of the words that can change your friends/couple day.

However, I’m here to talk about the word’s power in the educational field. We have always had teachers that have marked our lives thanks to things that they have told us. Sometimes, bad things, sometimes good things. I have had students that don’t have a passion for language just because their elementary’s teacher told them they sucked at it. I must say that many of them are good, but they don’t realize that, because they keep taking their teacher’s word. However, many students start studying a specific degree or career, thanks to teachers that have told them they are good at it.

As preservice teachers, we need to be conscious of the power that we have, as well as the responsibility in our student’s lives. That’s why we need to be careful when we are speaking to our students or grading them because our words have weight on their lives. Be positive and encourage them to improve is a must in a teacher’s speech.