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Listen to the Whispers

Stephanie Schottel, M.A.

Nov 12, 2018
2 min

Listen to the Whispers

I have a painting on my wall of a woman and next to her it is written... “The whispers of our lives want us to take notice. They may just be whispers, small voices tucked deep inside the pockets of our hearts, but we must hold their possibilities close to our chests and allow them to step into the light.” - Kelly Rae Roberts We’ve moved into fall, a season of change. Usually when you think of fall in these parts, you think of slightly cooler temperatures, falling leaves, and

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Buenos Aires to Houston, TX: Lessons that Come from Starting Over in a New Country

Andrea Muratore

Sep 20, 2018
2 min

Buenos Aires to Houston, TX: Lessons that Come from Starting Over in a New Country

Meet Andrea. She is one of the most fun-loving and positive people I know. She sees life as an adventure, and you can read about her positive approach to challenges in my written interview with her below. 1. What brought you to Houston, TX? We moved from Argentina to Houston because my husband was transferred here for his work more than one year ago. I know in the USA it is pretty common to move between different cities, but in my country it isn’t. This is our first time livi

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Do You Like Feeling Awkward and Nervous? It Might Be Exactly What You Need.

Stephanie Schottel, M.A.

Sep 6, 2018
3 min

Do You Like Feeling Awkward and Nervous? It Might Be Exactly What You Need.

I’m often writing blog articles about how you should step out of your comfort zone and try new things, especially as it relates to English. But recently I started feeling like a hypocrite—in other words, someone who says one thing but does something else. My actions and my words weren’t in sync. How often was I really stepping outside of my comfort zone? It’s easy for me to tell my readers what they should do, but what about me? Do I take my own advice? I live a pleasant life

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Easy Ways to Turn Your Ordinary Summer into a Dream Summer

Stephanie Schottel, M.A.

May 24, 2018
3 min

Easy Ways to Turn Your Ordinary Summer into a Dream Summer

Although summer doesn’t officially start until June 21, it’s unofficially summer here in Houston, Texas. It’s hot and the school year is on its final stretch. During the summer, some of us have time off from college or graduate school, some of us spend time with our kids while we juggle our own pursuits, and some of us take vacations and enjoy ourselves - or a combination of any or these! My question for you is: What do you want the next three months to look like? What do you

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For Those Who Are Afraid to Put Down Roots

Stephanie Schottel, M.A.

Mar 21, 2018
3 min

For Those Who Are Afraid to Put Down Roots

“Bloom where you’re planted.” This quote is often attributed to the Bishop of Geneva, Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622). Perhaps you've heard it before. Imagine a child who blows dandelion seeds into the wind. One seed falls to the earth. It doesn’t have a choice where it lands, but it knows that it must grow tall or not grow at all. So what does this mean for us? My interpretation is this: Wherever you find yourself, it’s your responsibility to make it your home. What do I

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An Easy Way to Stop Your Harsh Inner ESL Critic (Part 1/2)

Today A Song Reminded Me Why I Teach ESL

Stephanie Schottel, M.A.

Mar 14, 2017
1 min

Today A Song Reminded Me Why I Teach ESL

While listening to one of my all-time favorite songs, One Day by Matisyahu, I was reminded today of why I teach English. Like the lyrics to his song, I crave a world without conflict because I am a peacekeeper at heart. I teach English because language brings people together. And when two people come together who share a language, the opportunity for deep understanding is a part of the conversation too. If understanding is there, peace is not far behind. By teaching American

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