Week 2 Weekly Reading: Chapter 7,8,9 - Joseph Andrieux

Chapters 7 through 9 covers how an individual can make a difference in people's lives. How a person can create and leave a legacy that can thrive on improving a span of people.


As a 9th girls basketball coach, my responsibility is not to simply teach girls to play basketball, but to enlighten them in how to become better individuals in school, at home, and to themselves. Winning games can do wonders for an urban student. Helping them to develop into mature students who are organized and striving to want more for themselves through education is a spark that will constantly burn by passion and what they see how things are.  

As an educator, we have the ability to touch a vast amount of individuals. We as teachers have the ability to affect families and communities. In order for us to affect and implement change, we need to look at what we have - "the way things are." Establish a plan based on what needs to be improved or saved.

The author discusses in several examples that educators need to create a passion for students to succeed by improving their lives through education. We need to speak to affect the many. We need to develop a passion in students to care for themselves. Have students feel so motivated with fire that the passion will be enough to get them through the difficult times that might be ahead.


As an educator, my spark was lit when I was able to tutor a poverty stricken adult in scoring very high on their entrance exams. She later was offered a full scholarship to a community college based on her numbers. Through difficult times, she was able to complete her education with my help. Years later, she is now a nurse working at a hospital with a bachelor's degree in biology from a 4 year institution. She has used her experience by sharing it with others so they may be motivated in returning to school.

For me, this story has heightened my passion where I will never lose my spark because I will always remember that I may not change many people's lives, now, but I will affect one who will.