Gratitude

This program is truly empowering.

On the first day of the academy, I had tired, quiet, closed off students and then today, on our last day, I saw a light in them. They were fresh-faced, excited, encouraged, empowered. Balfour taught these students that they are more than their differences. They are more than their race. They are more than their gender, than their religion, than their backgrounds. They matter. They will make a difference. They will succeed. 

I am so honored to have been part of this process and helping these students find their power and voices to change the world.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to learn and inspire.

Spoiled Rotten

As most of you may know, I am about to start my first year of teaching. While I already had my student teaching, I think working with Balfour is truly my first taste of what my future profession will be. Except for one thing... I am spoiled.

I am being so spoiled by these amazing, passionate, brilliant students.
I am spoiled because the level of thinking and acceptance in this group is phenomenal.

Alex and I have been teaching some heavy issues and showing some raw pain. While I know this is hard for some of our students, I am amazed by how much they're getting from our class. They are learning about real issues and real pain- now that's not to say that the issues they face everyday are not real, because they very much are. That's the point here.

A few of our students mentioned that they felt like there was nothing they could do. After hearing these stories and learning about different issues around the world, they felt that they couldn't do anything to help. That is where they are wrong. They might not be able to bring clean water to every person in the world but they can bring awareness to these issues. By sharing their own stories, creating art, becoming knowledgeable, and actively trying to learn more, they are making a difference- even if they don't realize it.

So, yes, I do feel spoiled because I am working with some truly talented kids, who are making a difference.

Dirty Art

Artwork to the rescue

The Philippines have repeatedly suffered from terrible water pollution- but they have turned this tragedy into a solution. Artists in the Philippines have started using their own contaminated water to create incredible paintings. They are selling these pieces to raise awareness of their environmental hazards. Each painting sales for $800-$2000 and all of the proceeds go towards a water purification system for the Philippines as well as an initiative to prevent further water contamination in other areas of the world.
They have taken something so destructive and created a beautiful solution.

Rising in the Waters

Pacific Salt- Eunice Andrada

"Let this be the beginning of us... RISING."

Someone once asked me why I am so fond of poetry. Why should we trust poets? Poetry is raw. It is honest. There is nowhere to hide in poetry; the ugliest truths in situations are easily delivered. 

I think that is what makes this poem so beautiful. It is passionate and invigorating. Andrada paints a vivid picture of the disasters our environment is receiving and the trouble it is causing in return. While her poem shows deep pain for our damaged environment, she also does a beautiful job of showing that we can overcome these challenges and RISE from the pain.

We Are...

"We deserve to do more than survive. We deserve to thrive."

"Dear Matafele Peinem" is an absolutely beautiful spoken poem by Kathy Jetnil- Kijiner from the 2014 UN Climate Summit. The poem so artistically covers many issues that stem from the dangers of our increasing climate change. She shows the pain that comes with forced migration, lack of resources, poverty, and starvation, while showing that WE ARE doing so much to try to stop these damages. WE ARE trying to help our Earth and save our environment and protect our people. All the while, she does this while promising baby Matafele Peinem, that we will gain peace.

What I "care" about

My mom has this story that she tells at every big event, whether that be Christmas, graduation, or birthday parties, she breaks out her story-telling voice and has the audience gripped at the story of little 9 year ole me.

She once told me that my heart was "too big" for this world and I should be using this to help our Earth. The story begins with that bit advice: help our mother Earth.

I'm not sure if you've ever seen the children's movie, FernGully, it is a beautiful film that uses animation and childhood creativity to show the destruction that mankind has had on our rain forests. The movie follows a group of fairies and woodland creatures who live in a rain forest in Australia, as their home is invaded by a logging company who destroys the forest. The film truly captures the dangers of deforestation and how fragile our ecosystems are. (I recommend hopping on Netflix right now and binge watching it). My mom says that at one point in my childhood she had to hide the VHS tape from me because I would watch it every single day and cry because how terrible man can be. Now, I'll admit that I may be a sensitive person who "feels" a lot but this movie has truly tugged on my heart strings for most of my life. The story goes, that soon after the first time I watched FernGully, I wanted to make a change, I wanted to protect our forest, I wanted to save our Mother Earth. 

How much power does a 9 year old have? Excellent question. I quickly learned that movements and change only occur when your voice is heard and honestly, how many people listen to a child who was barely 4 feet tall? But, with some help from my mom, my voice was heard. In 2002, at age 9, I started a petition to create more access to recycling bins in my neighborhood and school. It took over a year of me and my mother meeting with city officials and discussing the importance of recycling. 

It sounds foreign that we wouldn't have recycling bins in our schools but in the early 2000s, it was still quite rare to have them.

Eventually, it happened. There was a bin sitting in front of every house in my neighborhood and in every classroom in my school. Obviously, I didn't do that alone, I have a lot to thank my mother for.

This post isn't meant to advertise the movie (but shameless plug on how much I love it and how great it is), but rather, I want to explain how important our Earth is and how environmental sustainability has been such a close issue to me since I was a child.

The point here, is that our environment has always had a special place in my heart. The ability to get lost in nature, watch the sunrise, see the fireflies at dusk, look for the little dipper at night. All of this. This all won't be able to continue if we don't protect our aching mother Earth. 

I'm not saying that each of you should run out and start a recycling initiative in your town, but power starts with knowledge. To make a difference, you have to educate yourself. Learn more about climate control. Read articles about environmental risks. Sit outside in the Midwest in the middle of February and wonder why it's 73 degrees out. Just surround yourself with nature and learn how to protect it.

The dangerous effects of hurting our environment can be seen everywhere, even in our own backyards. Why is California struggling with such an intense drought? Why are different species dying out? Why is it 85 degrees in January when it should barely be 40? 

My mother's story always ends with her telling me that I should follow what I "cared" about, what I was passionate about.

This is how I make my decisions. What do I "care" about? What matters? 

I urge you to think like this. 

Follow your passion and change the world.

Who am I?

I am Ashley Bonzani.
I am a sister, a friend, a teacher, a "tree hugger," a passionate learner, a Hoosier, and so much more.
Recently, I graduated from Indiana University's School of Education with a concentration in English.

While helping others has always been my passion, teaching was not my traditional route at the beginning. I began my college career as a nursing major with English as my minor. I have always loved working with people and I have always had a strong passion for words and the power behind them, as well has the opportunities they provide. Quickly into my freshman year here at IU, I realized that nursing wasn't quite for me. I decided to branch out and take a few exploratory classes, one of which, was an education class. I fell in love with the idea of working closely with children and helping them become open minded, accepting individuals. I decided to connect my passion for English with my new-found love of education; thus I was thrust into the School of Education as a secondary English education major.

This love I have for teaching, strongly follows my commitment to global issues. There are so many circumstances and situations around the world that may be inspiring, breathtaking, or even heartbreaking; as global citizens, we should make it a priority to become involved in the issues. Being knowledgeable individuals allows us to look critically and deeply at many situations while connecting them to our everyday lives. It is important that we actively connect to these many global issues so that we can work in harmony to create a stronger and more peaceful environment.