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As I reviewed the definition, and anytime I am thinking about or creating a lesson, I always go back to what I can do with the lesson to get the students interested. They have to see that enthusiasm, that excitement, and that passion we have for the topic. Without it, they are disconnected, uninterested, and bored. It can be challenging, finding a way to be excited about all topics, as well as incorporating that into a working lesson. But when we meet that challenge, the students are hooked and learn so much more, and really enjoy it! Sometimes when my students need an example, I play the game "This is what is NOT an example. It is the opposite of this." I am doing this same thing here, as the link I include is exactly the OPPOSITE of zeal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZsq07bUAIA

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After reading the definition of zeal it made me think of my decision to join the MED program. It took a passion for learning and an eagerness to continue learning to apply for the program. I am so glad that I chose to do this and I have learned so much in the last year and a half. I am looking forward to continuing to use what I have learned in the years to come within my classroom and in life in general.  I also feel that zeal is something you need to have to be an effective teacher. If you do not passion for what you are teaching then you probably did not choose the right profession!

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When I hear the word zeal, I think of everything the MED program has done for me.  I have a renewed excitement and passion for teaching and learning.  I have learned so much over the past year and a half that I know I will continue to try new things in my classroom in the future.  I am encouraged to continue on my journey and am looking forward to the passion that we will all be part of on Saturday! This image encompasses so many feelings I have had during our journey and will continue to feel moving forward!

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Reading through the definition of zeal brought me back to my kindergarten dream - becoming a teacher. Without that drive, passion, calling, and love for working with others, especially children, it would be hard to reach that goal. Overall, I believe that teachers possess a zeal in this field. Without it, it would be hard to stand up in front of our students each and every day to get them excited about learning. It comes from our want of being in the classroom and having those feelings of wanting to make a difference in the lives of our students.

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I cannot teach my students, or my children, everything they need to know. And I shouldn't.  Instead I must instill in them a sense of wonder and curiosity as well as a passion for knowledge so they will take it upon themselves to learn the things I did not teach.
As our Master's program comes to a close, I am still so curious about all I have learned. So much so that I will continue to research and implement new ideas and work to get more comfortable with ideas that challenged me.

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When I think of the word zeal, I instantly think about our spring conference a year ago. The spring conference is a wonderful place to be because there are so many passionate and excited teachers. People get to spend time learning new things and creating passions that they didn't know they had. Everyone shows compassion and eagerness to learn about each others research. It is an exciting and humble experience because we all find ourselves in the same boat. We may be a different points in our masters program but we all have a common goal: bettering ourselves for our students.

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As I read the definition of Zeal, I really thought about myself. As I have been reflecting on my MEd Journey and preparing for the Spring Conference, I have come to the conclusion that all of the experiences I have had in the last year and a half have been reigniting my Zeal for education. I am passionate about teaching, I am courageous and strong in pushing for changes, yet I am tender and compassionate with my students.
This quote speaks to the way I started this school year: I was eager and excited to implement my action research and wouldn't be discouraged by anything as I worked toward my goals.

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This is the year to move forward with zeal and enthusiasm, giving and receiving, committing to purposeful, rewarding goals_

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I have a little boy in my class whose picture should be next to zeal in the dictionary!  He is the son of a beef cattle farmer and has the farm running in his blood.  He knows the ins and outs of life on his farm like no other 6 year old I've met.  He collects ear tags and reports to me on calving each day now that March has come.  He tells me about the aspects that his dad involves him in and even has a little photo album that he's brought to school more than a couple times.  Everything he writes involves his farm in some manner.  At play time he either has the farm toys out or has built a pen and made ear tags for others so that they can be his cattle and use the pen.  I believe he will carry on his family's farming legacy...but just within this past week and a half, he has transferred some of that zeal to reading!  His work during Daily Five has subtly become more focused and then yesterday and again today he spent his entire play time reading books from our classroom library!  Reading to himself, reading to me, reading to anyone who would listen!  He brought his decodable book home yesterday but also brought 3 other books to read at home.  This morning he said his mom recorded him and sent it to his grandma and she said good job.  Today he read one of his favorites to the preschool class!  He is zeal personified and his little fire has influence on others.
I hope I can convey my zeal for helping my students become lovers of learning through inquiry at the conference this weekend.  I will keep my student in mind to help me!

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When I think about zeal, I associate it with energy, excitement, and enthusiasm!  Students pick up on your zeal for your subject matter and also your zeal for them.  I try to convey how eager I am for them to learn and how much I want them to succeed each and every day.  Enthusiasm is contagious!  Be eager about spending focused time with your students.  I am hoping that I can convey my zeal in my conference presentation this weekend.

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Zeal has been a focus and goal of RCS for the past three years as it was one of our central themes as we moved towards our system mentality.  We are called to share our energy, passion, and fire for the Lord and discipleship as well as for our curriculum.  It allows our students to have a model and example of how to live a virtuous life.  The idea of zeal continues with our ability to connect with other virtues as well.  If you have a passion for your content, your values, beliefs, and how to live life you should be connecting the idea of zeal with the other virtues of a Lasallian teacher.  Some of the virtues that I connected with this virtue are piety, vigilence, patience, humility, gentleness, and gravity.  I feel that zeal is such an impactful part of our lives as teachers and human beings, all people are passionate about something, so help people find that passion and share it the way we share our passions with our students, colleagues, and our communities.

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The quote on zeal that I found below is true. Teachers should be enthusiastic about what they teach and hopefully pass the enthusiasm on to their students. Even more importantly though, we should be helping our students find their own passions and strengths. The Genius Hour class that I teach has been an amazing opportunity to help kids explore their passions and interests. They leave class learning great life lessons and give their final presentations with zeal! I will not be teaching Genius Hour next year and find myself disappointed. I love walking kids through their individualized experience.

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This short video uses the analogy  of fire to illuminate the difference between zeal and anger.  Zeal is using our energy for the good. Zeal is able to let go of the differences and does not hold any animosity towards the subject. I see this being helpful with our students when we have to redirect behavior. You deal with the issue and give the student a second chance. I think sometimes especially in high school students are given a "reputation". We need to deal with the moment, use our zeal to bring out the good in them. This is helpful in dealing with colleagues when there is a difference of opinion. Zeal lets go of the anger.

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My connection to zeal is the passion that one shows when they live with intense love. When you're passionate about something, you're able to accomplish a great deal because you are eager to do things that benefit whatever it is you're passionate about. I believe that's why so many people call teaching a calling - we're passionate about education and working with young people, which is what helps us to overcome difficulties and provide the best experiences for our students!