So much depends upon the red wheelbarrow…So much depends upon the tolerant teacher…
Many of you may recognize the beginning line from Love That Dog by Sharon Creech. I love that book! Jack is a fortunate boy to be in her class where everyone is respected and encouraged to find their poet’s voice. I did not have the same experience with writing and continue to struggle. When we look inside a child’s life, who they think they are, who they want to be and how they are perceived at home and at school, we can finally understand that growing up to appreciate and excel at education is just down right hard! So much depends upon a tolerant teacher! From the case studies we are given clear examples of how much our upbringing effects how we learn and if teachers do not take the time to add this into our yearly planning then many children are doomed to fail. Negatively judging a student because his/her parents are poor, tattooed, un-married, unorganized, or fat is just as bad as judging them based on race or religion. Teaching is an emotional rollercoaster and it is exhausting dealing with the ups and downs of twenty-four different personalities. There are so many variables in any given day it is a wonder that we make it through our lesson plans. Instead of complaining that “my students are so needy” we must make time and take time to humanize them and look for ourselves in their trusting eyes and respond to them with kindness. We can blame the parents, the child, even society but in reality we need to go the extra mile to meet the needs of our students. Our students are not to be blamed for the choices of the adults in their lives; they will work for many years to re-invent themselves if given a chance. I know many of us have done so!
Elizabeth Achor
Comments (3)
I loved your post! All of what you said about judging based upon appearances is so true and to be honest I have been guilty. To my surprise this year many of my most helpful and caring parents were so different than what they appeared to be. I was blessed with some great parents of really great kids, who based on my first impression I felt really apprehensive. I quickly seen the error of my ways and welcomed them into my class to find they were awesome, tattoos, piercing and all. My initial reaction I contribute greatly to a very intolerant upbringing.
I now focus on my students and how I can best meet their needs and help them to set goals and reinvent themselves just as I have. I look back at my childhood and often wonder how I got to where I am when so many I grew up with are on drugs and on their third marriage, or have lost their kids. Yes, I believe given the chance we can all make it and become what we desire to in this life. As a teacher it is my desire to serve and help all the children I am so blessed to have the opportunity to teach!
Posted by Tracy Icenhour | June 24, 2010 7:30 PM
Posted on June 24, 2010 19:30
Dear Elizabeth,
It is so true that we need to be aware of our students' needs and treat to them with kindness. Sometimes, more often than we know, a smile or a high five from us may be the only one they get. On the flip side of that, I think it's important that we don't judge a book by it's cover when it comes to the kids and parents. Just because they may not look like us or dress like us doesn't mean they are not good parents. We need to listen and take the time to care to respect the "whole child" for who they are and where they come from. It is our job to help fill in the gaps in their lives at school to give them that extra boost they need to succeed.
Reshawna Greene
Posted by Reshawna Greene | June 24, 2010 7:51 PM
Posted on June 24, 2010 19:51
I understand how you feel about a strict upbringing and I have had to challenge my thinking as well. Sometimes I feel that if I could work hard and make it out of poverty anyone could. This is not the case. My sister is fifty years old and has never owned a home. This is how my parents lived. Sometimes the burden is too heavy and you may feel that things will never get better, but with a few encouraging words and new plan life goes on. Reading has been the key to unlocking the world for me and I want to share this gift with as many families as I can.
Elizabeth Achor
Posted by Elizabeth Achor | June 25, 2010 12:35 PM
Posted on June 25, 2010 12:35