What a lovely excerpt. I always enjoy hearing what the kids have to say about "us" teachers. :-) These statements are so accurate, but one stands out. My students often engaged with me on the topic of good and bad experiences in school. Many of them associate a difficult year with a teacher who favored some students more than others. At times, it was merely because the teacher needed to rope a particular needy of disruptive student in, but sadly, in some cases, the teacher simply did not like one child and constantly praised another. Impartiality is most definitely not easy, especially seeing as we have such a diverse group of students in our classrooms, but outright disdain and favoritism should never darken the door of a classroom.
Often teachers do not even know that their favouritism or discrimination is obvious and visible. Such experiences can be very difficult for children, and they learn to devalue themselves. Sometimes there are children with whom you will not find particularly charming, but our inability as teachers not to react to this indicates a fault with us, not the learners. Often the behaviour is a cry for help. This is why reflective practice is so very important in teaching.
"Why am I reacting towards this child in this manner? What is this evoking in me?"
What a lovely excerpt. I always enjoy hearing what the kids have to say about "us" teachers. :-)
ReplyDeleteThese statements are so accurate, but one stands out. My students often engaged with me on the topic of good and bad experiences in school. Many of them associate a difficult year with a teacher who favored some students more than others. At times, it was merely because the teacher needed to rope a particular needy of disruptive student in, but sadly, in some cases, the teacher simply did not like one child and constantly praised another. Impartiality is most definitely not easy, especially seeing as we have such a diverse group of students in our classrooms, but outright disdain and favoritism should never darken the door of a classroom.
Often teachers do not even know that their favouritism or discrimination is obvious and visible. Such experiences can be very difficult for children, and they learn to devalue themselves. Sometimes there are children with whom you will not find particularly charming, but our inability as teachers not to react to this indicates a fault with us, not the learners. Often the behaviour is a cry for help. This is why reflective practice is so very important in teaching.
ReplyDelete"Why am I reacting towards this child in this manner? What is this evoking in me?"