Going the Extra Mile

I have been teaching a TESL certification class for the past 5 years and have only met two of the students after the class. My class is a 60 hour attendance based portion and then the students have the opportunity to take an additional 40 hour module to get a 100 hour certificate. They have about 100 days to complete the final portion, and most students wait for 90 days to start that. With the class this month I decided to do something different and I met with them today, Tuesday, to do the final 40 hours (really it is a test like traffic school) together and give them an extra boost. The test they have to do is not too difficult and it is a 100 question test and they have to get 65%. I didn't really help the students that came today (5 of the 7 students came), but primarily we all got together to encourage each other. I didn't have to meet with them today. I didn't get paid anything extra to do this and they have already completed the class and the evaluations so I didn't get any direct benefit.

I think everyone needs to do something just to do it, just because it is the right thing to do! I was happy to help my friends today, I can't say I helped my students because they are no longer my students. I like doing things that are not expected and always look for more ways to help people reach their potential. When I was young I was always told I didn't live up to my potential, I never understood that. I think my potential can't be reached until it is all over and then look at what was accomplished!