Jeni Ann Flores

The teacher had been waiting all year to get to that part of the Science book. Finally, there it was for all to see - the picture of a sprouting seed, and inside the seed was what looked like a tiny tree, a harbinger of what the seed would become in a few years. The picture was very much like the seed the students had seen sprout in their paper cups. Only the picture was bigger and more colorful. Then the teacher put a surprising, non-Science spin to it all. “Yes, boys and girls, you are like this seed. Inside you is a great big oak tree waiting to come out,” the teacher said. The students’ eyes grow like saucers. “Someday you will be firefighters, soldiers and pilots, doctors and teachers, presidents of your own companies, artists and writers and columnists.” The children murmur among themselves. “You will get a job. Some of you will get married, be mommies and daddies, and you will buy Pampers for your babies.” There is a ripple of giggles. Boys start punching each other sh...

Alex Sablan came up to me hugging a big plastic container. The first grader was willing to share some of his cherished possessions with me. I bent down to look. Inside were five happy geckos. “Which one do you want, teacher?” It was that kind of school and I was that kind of teacher. So without batting an eyelash, I pointed to the smallest gecko. So I can grow him myself, I said, winking at Alex. You might find yourself with some spare time this Christmas break. Here I am as Alex, sharing not prized bugs, but suggested reading for the holidays. 1. Lateral Thinking: Creativity Step by Step by Edward de Bono There are two kinds of thinking – vertical and lateral. With lateral thinking you do not eliminate any idea, no matter how wrong or outrageous it seems at first, until you come up with a solution to a problem. The author helps the reader, especially teachers, use lateral thinking for personal interest and as basis for classroom teaching. He helps teachers come up with bette...