Recently I was talking to my mom about my school time and the various teachers. It was interesting to see how much I am still influenced by some of them. What fascinated me, was the fact that I don't remember any teacher for their particular knowledge rather than for their way of teaching. Basically there are two sorts of teachers I remember.
First there are what I consider bad teachers. Those that wouldn't really listen to the kids and just judge them by the impression. Like the sports teacher that automatically assumes that the heavy kid is bad at sports, although it is in fact a rather capable gymnast. Another classic is the language teacher that thinks the foreign kid has to be bad at language class. These teachers tent to frustrate kids and destroy their efforts and will to learn. How I know that? Because I was a kid and if you think about it you might remember one of those teachers as well.
Let me tell you a little story: In 3rd great we got a new language teacher and she bluntly decided that each foreign child had to go to remedial course. I remember cleary how indignated I felt although this happened 25 years ago. It wasn't because of the extra class (As a matter of fact, back then I really enjoyed school) but the fact that the year before I had been about 5th in the language class. She hadn't even checked my credits! So how is a child going to be motivated if getting the feeling that the teacher just doesn't care enough? How is the kid going to take marks received by such a teacher serious? The story ended when after three weeks the remedial class teacher went to her and said that it was ridiculous having me in that class, also because I was frustrating other children.
I am not telling this story to brag but since I don't have any kids I have to relate to my own school time. I remember quiet a lot of stories like this and I am sure so do you. I also don't want to make teachers look bad, as I know it is one of the toughest jobs in the world. It is also one of the most responsible jobs, so before becoming a teacher maybe consider if you are at least equally dedicated to children, as to the subject you will be teaching.
On the other hand there are those teachers that inspire you and always make you go the extra mile. Not because you want to impress them but because they convince you that you want it. I remember another teacher from 7th grade who constantly encouraged me to write, often also with critics, telling me he knew I could do better. It goes so far that I have been trying to find him in order to tell him about my writing and to thank him. It sometimes just takes one person to tell you: Go for it, don't stop.
The purpose of this post is to inspire all of you to be such teachers to the children. A teacher doesn't have to be in a classroom. Everybody is one! Try to encourage children and listen to them, this way they will reach their full potential. Imagine what would have happened if his father hadn't listened to the three year old Mozart playing the piano and instead had shooed him off the instrument!
