The challenges of modern teachers today.... it's not about teaching young minds to their best limit. It is to discipline these rowdy buggers and not having them broken (well mostly) at the end of the day.
As volatile and draconian I can be, I DO love my students - but not all. I love those who obeys, who finishes his / her homework on time, who keeps silence on cue (e.g. Mount Teacher about to go boom), who always greet their elderly well, who dresses well to school, who has their workplace tidy etc.
I hope I wasn't asking for too much.
Children will behave as children... but those kids who can think beyond their age will go far.
Yesterday, as I was teaching a class of 16 year olds about the principle of thermodynamics, I've noticed three boys who sat by the window had their faces down on the desk, sleeping or pretending to be.
I had enough. And usually I would lash out some rather degrading remarks on such ignorant youngsters.... Then I remembered that I had dished TOO many advice, TOO many scoldings, TOO much love on these particular boys. So I told the rest of the attentive students;
"Now, I've gone beyond anger with you. I just cannot be mad with you anymore."
"But why sir? What do you mean?"
"I realized that while most of you do care for your future, it is not so for a few friends of yours. I've spent too much energy scolding people, and as I do not wish to have high blood pressure at my age, I think I'll just let you be, and do as you please."
"But they are only a few...." (the boys were still immobile)
"That is why, my fondest regards and wishes go to those who LISTENS to me. As you are not my children and you know my stand against disobedient students; it is imperative for you to be on my good side for your own good. For example, as I have no interest to scream at you now, that does not mean I will not slash a huge chunk off your marks from this coming test. An eye for an eye. Keep on sleeping."
And they woke up....
Tell me if I do wrong. Or do you prefer physical punishment? Oh, and the school counselor is a friend of mine and I do sent a lot of problematic kids her way.
I've gone beyond anger...... to the calm seas of I-Don't-Care....
Ramblings by
10 comments:
I think that not being angry and not caring are NOT the same thing. You obviously care very much for your students. I think your reaction was brilliant.
Cheers,
Casey
Agree with Casey. You do care. My dad was a teacher and my brother just retired after 27 years teaching. They taught in two very different eras, but their compassion for their students was obvious.
Raising three kids myself, I learned they heard me better when I did not speak, just act, or speak softly and act. You did a good job without having to yell.
Casey Freeland; Maybe you are right. Maybe the caring will come out soon, like next week :P
James; Your dad and your brother must be good teachers too. Teachers are mostly nice individuals even after retirement :P It shows in their interaction with the society.
TechnoBabe; I am not really a man of action :) I do threats frequently and if I am in the mood, I'd dish out the hurt. That makes me quite unpredictable. They fear that.
One of my daughter's teachers has really gone this way with a vengence. She teaches those who want to learn and the others can just not bother to turn up as far as she is concerned. She gave them a talk at the start of the year - decide if you want to be something of if you want to be an unemployed loser who is a liability to society!
We've all heard the "spare the rod, spoil the child", but I think you can drive home a message without using paddles or spankings of any kind. And physical punishment has absolutely no value as a deterrent.
Rock Chef; Sometimes there is no reasoning to some people. Everybody has the right for an education, but some people never care much.
Eveline; Would you believe if I tell you that the physical punishment would make the teachers feel a bit better? :P
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