I have just completed my school year, tomorrow is the first day of my 6-week-holidays and I'm certainly enjoying my time. During the last year, I've had major job changes. I work at a school that enables me to the fullest - wonderful colleagues and a chance to learn as much as I can, which I am very grateful for.
Over the last few weeks, I pondered a subject that has been on my soul for quite some time now. I work at primary school level which requires a lot of soul+heart+didactics. Children invest a part of their heart in you because you're so close to them.
Over the years I've been working now I never asked myself this question, but lately I began wondering whether I'm in this class because I am needed in some way - and whether I can be of help/support to all of “my kids”. I know these things are never left to chance - but again I asked myself whether I am the right teacher in this situation:
I teach years 1-4 in one classroom (which works absolutely WELL!) and in my grade 1, I've got a girl who is very cheeky, doesn't respect many limits and speaks in a tone to adults and children alike that would take your hat off…Now of course, when you see the parents and the elder sisters, you don't wonder any longer where this comes from. I know her father is choleric and often bursts out uncontrollably, and her mother is quite under pressure and giving it to her.
Teacher-style-like, I am quite a “wild one”, too. I get angry quickly and cool down alike. As she tends to stretch limits, she often gets some very direct behavioural inputs from me, getting her back on the “showing discipline boat”. BUT: Isn't this counterproductive for her, taking into account her parents surely give her a hard time?
Then I have to ask myself whether I am the right teacher for her, or what else I can give her (except limits and an attitude). Is there any kind of idea you can help me out with?
By the way, talking about education, I would love to have “education work” and no longer “education politics”. Politics seem to use education and subsequently teacher and children to fit their ideas. Some of these ideas are a complete and utter disaster, at least in Germany.
Isn't this totally wrong?
Shouldn't education be the topic and politics help serve these ideas as best as possible?
Don't know where that came from, but perhaps some of you have a comment for me.
How nice it is to know that you are almost ready for some holidays!
As you know, because you mentioned it in your post, the reason you have brought this special kids with this special circumstances to your teaching room are not a mere chance.
In Conversations with God, it is said that when things get tough and nothing else seems to work, it is the time to ask ourselves
-What would love do now?
What would happen if you change, and begin treating her as your ally and ask her to be your helper in so many ways that she might feel Special?
She might have the first opportunity (from you), in her lifetime, to know: Who she really is, and : What she might be, if she is loved regardless her attitude.
I know, I know, you might claim this is easier said than done and that she is not the only one in your classroom… to which I might add.-there is no one else in the room- also said in CWG.
You also mention that you would like to have “education work” instead of “education politics”. Well, if that is so, then being a Special teacher in this kids life and teaching them more about Being than doing, might bring the change you want to see, even though the policy of the school or the education system might have a different idea in mind.
There is a book called The Freedom Writers Diary by Ziata Filipovic (from which they´ve made a film too) that comes to my mind about a teacher going beyond common teaching methods.
I hope you might give this suggestions a chance and during this holiday invest some time in your future teaching, if you are asking yourself a question it might be a good moment to change some things around the wonderful ways you may show yourself to be.
Over the last few weeks, I pondered a subject that has been on my soul for quite some time now. I work at primary school level which requires a lot of soul+heart+didactics. Children invest a part of their heart in you because you're so close to them.
Over the years I've been working now I never asked myself this question, but lately I began wondering whether I'm in this class because I am needed in some way - and whether I can be of help/support to all of “my kids”. I know these things are never left to chance - but again I asked myself whether I am the right teacher in this situation:
I teach years 1-4 in one classroom (which works absolutely WELL!) and in my grade 1, I've got a girl who is very cheeky, doesn't respect many limits and speaks in a tone to adults and children alike that would take your hat off…Now of course, when you see the parents and the elder sisters, you don't wonder any longer where this comes from. I know her father is choleric and often bursts out uncontrollably, and her mother is quite under pressure and giving it to her.
Teacher-style-like, I am quite a “wild one”, too. I get angry quickly and cool down alike. As she tends to stretch limits, she often gets some very direct behavioural inputs from me, getting her back on the “showing discipline boat”. BUT: Isn't this counterproductive for her, taking into account her parents surely give her a hard time?
Then I have to ask myself whether I am the right teacher for her, or what else I can give her (except limits and an attitude). Is there any kind of idea you can help me out with?
By the way, talking about education, I would love to have “education work” and no longer “education politics”. Politics seem to use education and subsequently teacher and children to fit their ideas. Some of these ideas are a complete and utter disaster, at least in Germany.
Isn't this totally wrong?
Shouldn't education be the topic and politics help serve these ideas as best as possible?
Don't know where that came from, but perhaps some of you have a comment for me.
How nice it is to know that you are almost ready for some holidays!
As you know, because you mentioned it in your post, the reason you have brought this special kids with this special circumstances to your teaching room are not a mere chance.
In Conversations with God, it is said that when things get tough and nothing else seems to work, it is the time to ask ourselves
-What would love do now?
What would happen if you change, and begin treating her as your ally and ask her to be your helper in so many ways that she might feel Special?
She might have the first opportunity (from you), in her lifetime, to know: Who she really is, and : What she might be, if she is loved regardless her attitude.
I know, I know, you might claim this is easier said than done and that she is not the only one in your classroom… to which I might add.-there is no one else in the room- also said in CWG.
You also mention that you would like to have “education work” instead of “education politics”. Well, if that is so, then being a Special teacher in this kids life and teaching them more about Being than doing, might bring the change you want to see, even though the policy of the school or the education system might have a different idea in mind.
There is a book called The Freedom Writers Diary by Ziata Filipovic (from which they´ve made a film too) that comes to my mind about a teacher going beyond common teaching methods.
I hope you might give this suggestions a chance and during this holiday invest some time in your future teaching, if you are asking yourself a question it might be a good moment to change some things around the wonderful ways you may show yourself to be.
