Γιάννα Σταμούλη : Η δασκάλα της Λευκάδας που συγκινεί με το video των μαθητών της στη μακρινή Αμερική για την Ελλάδα (vid)
Viviannas Vardis
Which parent, which student, how many of us do not remember the teacher of the 2nd primary school of Lefkada who was always smiling, despite her difficulties, who the children loved so much, who had a magical relationship with the parents? Who of us doesn’t remember Yanna Stamouli? This wonderful teacher that the conditions of life took her so far… That she by herself with a single video for today managed to bring children of another culture so close to Greece? Children from Florida, USA, her students now talk and send messages about Greece and its greatness. Children who have the Greek language as their second choice and are lucky enough to be taught by Gianna. When Stavroula sent me the video, the wonderful, fragile Gianna, who we often traveled with on the bus, immediately came to my mind. I was moved, I cried when I saw the video, when I saw that it starts with the magical view of Lefkada from Panagia Faneromeni, when I saw Gianna from so far away teaching Greece. I contacted her and here it is:
• Our dear teacher, how did the idea for this video start?
Wanting to convey to my students heartfelt words about Greece and the struggle of the Greek people in 1821, I thought it would be more interesting to hear this teaching from their own lips. So what I had to say, making the video, my students said and I think it turned out to be effective. The video “spoke” to their hearts and taught them the importance of the Greek struggle for humanity.
• How many children took part?
• The children participating in the video are in the eighth grade, which is the corresponding high school in Greece. There are 30 students at Plato Academy Palm Harbor Campus and also my four girls who needed help.
• What nationality are the children?
The students are of American nationality as the school is American providing the teaching of Greek as a second language to its students.
• Do they like Greek?
That is the purpose! Make them like Greek and it’s really devastating, because you have to constantly find and implement new ideas to keep their interest alert. There are many times when children respond and show me that they like what we do, but they are teenagers at a time when many stimuli are more interesting than school.
• The video starts with the photo of Lefkada…
My videos always have photos of Lefkada. I spent five wonderful unforgettable years on this island and that is why, let the people of Lefkada allow it, I consider it my homeland. My students know a lot about Lefkada as I have included it in the lesson plans of my class.
• How does a Greek teacher feel on such a day away from home and under these conditions?
It is too difficult! These are the days when you just want to be there; back home. It is these days that make you apologize to yourself because you are far away. It’s one of those days where you take stock and ‘count the beans again’ and think about whether you did the right thing by traveling so far. You’re finally done with the well-known ‘think positive’ attack… because you have nothing left.
• What do you tell your students about Greece?
• Greece is a big capital! I just don’t want my students to learn about Greece; I want them to feel Greece. So I try to challenge them with various techniques … to make them ask me about Greece. Just keep it, they know there’s a diamond out there in the Mediterranean that is a solid foundation for the creation of the newer world.
And
• Why did you leave so far away?
This answer does not fit in a few lines. All I can say is that I did not leave for myself. America was not the first choice of destination;
• What message do you send to your students in Lefkada and their parents?
• I have a lot to say to my students and their parents. What I want to mention and really hear is that in that difficult time, just before I travel my students and their parents are the ones who supported me in all ways and I will never forget that !!! I have a lot to say to these people and I will close them in one word! I love you! One last thing… let us be proud of our children even when they do not live up to our expectations or the expectations of society πει does not matter! They build their own! Let’s try to keep them as much as we can in their childhood innocence, because that’s how nature is όμαστε don’t rush to raise them!
This year, the students who were together in the first and second grade of elementary school are graduating from the 2nd grade; and what would I not give if I were there and told everyone “Never be afraid in your life! Can you hear me I love your wings because they will travel you… and never be afraid! ”
https://greekcitytimes.com/tag/yanna-stamouli/
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