Teaching in Cuyalí, Honduras - 2005 For the past 15 years, I've worked in the education field. Along with seeking ways to live a more fulfilling life, education is my passion. I have taught in two state public school systems, an exclusive private school, a private education company, a Third World country, and I currently homeschool my two young daughters while operating a tutoring business. Ironically, my greatest achievement as an educator came in the classroom in this picture.
A pervasive theme throughout Paradise in Front of Me is that of young people trying to succeed despite an utterly broken educational system. When I walked into the classroom in Cuyalí, I shuttered at the lack of resources. I wondered how in the world anything could be accomplished in such a setting. However, I quickly learned that the human spirit can conquer anything. The children of Cuyalí were a determined group. In me, they saw an opportunity to learn and grow. In return, I learned a valuable lesson. I didn't need expensive books and a mountain of supplies. In order to succeed, it was necessary to take advantage of the resources at hand. Time spent fretting about the obstacles in my way was nothing more than wasted time. In the end, as the book details, the kids rose to the occasion. In that little classroom in Cuyalí, miracles happened.
A pervasive theme throughout Paradise in Front of Me is that of young people trying to succeed despite an utterly broken educational system. When I walked into the classroom in Cuyalí, I shuttered at the lack of resources. I wondered how in the world anything could be accomplished in such a setting. However, I quickly learned that the human spirit can conquer anything. The children of Cuyalí were a determined group. In me, they saw an opportunity to learn and grow. In return, I learned a valuable lesson. I didn't need expensive books and a mountain of supplies. In order to succeed, it was necessary to take advantage of the resources at hand. Time spent fretting about the obstacles in my way was nothing more than wasted time. In the end, as the book details, the kids rose to the occasion. In that little classroom in Cuyalí, miracles happened.
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