Kids. They never really get the credit they deserve. Adults fail to recognize their unbiased wisdom and often their rather surprising humor as well. We were discussing the Ten Plagues in class and why the Egyptians kept hitting the frogs even though they continued to multiply with each blow. A rather quiet student responded completely seriously, "They must have had anger management problems." The humor and wisdom in that one statement were so profound, especially in light of the fact that she nailed one of the explanations for the illogical behavior of the Egyptians- that anger causes irrational thought processes. Insightful and yet, one of the wittier lines I've collected over the years, along with the one about a pre-school teacher explaining that squirrels live in a burrow and the student asking if it was Brooklyn or Queens.
I fell into education somewhat accidentally and it is for moments like those that I remain in the profession. While working with eighth grade students on various projects, they have enhanced my proficiency in computer technology, my knowledge of teeny bopper pop culture that I wasn't interested in (ok, maybe a little), and sought my advice and opinions on their own precarious positions perched on the cloudy precipice between childhood and growing up. I often don't have answers to their questions. I admit that some of those same doubts and decisions plague me to this day but to keep seeking answers and continue thinking. When this epiphany that my actions, my opinions are contributing to shaping their futures dawns on me, I stand up a little straighter, carefully consider my words and responses, and continue my own quest for answers. When kids tells you that you are "such a good artist" , "the best storyteller", "like a walking encyclopedia" and "such a good teacher", the compliments shouldn't really have so much power to influence the way you feel about yourself, but they do, because kids are powerful people and they never really get the credit they deserve.
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ReplyDelete"I admit that some of those same doubts and decisions plague me to this day but to keep seeking answers and continue thinking."
ReplyDeleteFaced with the topic of the first paragraph above, this is the most creative, unintended pun I've seen since the Internet came about like pestilence in the night.
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ReplyDeleteThe educator learns more than the student, and that is how it is supposed to be. In this profession, the passionate learner can be the best teacher.When we prepare our lesson plans, when we decide the messages that we want to share, we focus our lens through our own learning styles and experiences. Often times, we connect with those students with whom we share similarities more than those students who elude our learning styles. For me, the weaker students catch my eye, because as a learner, I always struggled. When we complete the circle within ourselves, we are able to help others complete theirs.
ReplyDeleteI was discussing the laws of the humane treatment of animals. One of my 4th grade students asked me the following.
"What if ( all the good questions start with this phrase) a guy wanted you to take his puppy and you say no, but the guy is not taking no for an answer and says that he won't move from the front of your car until you take his puppy. Can you run him over?"
I love teaching.