Education, education, education

[davywavy]

I've always thought that the true reward of being a teacher must not be the pleasure of imparting knowledge. That act of being a candle or a lantern in the darkness of ignorance, and kindling a light in another generation. Moreover, I assume that the true pleasure to be had from teaching isn't from the most gifted and able pupils, but from those in the slower end of the class. Rather than taking an able student and simply filling them with knowledge and the tools of learning so they could progress themselves, if I were a teacher I think that it would be a greater pleasure to see previously dull eyes start to flicker with the light of inspiration. Taking a pupil who might be a bit slow, or even resistant to education, and bringing them to a dawn over new vistas which had previously been denied them and opening up worlds which were previously undreamed, like stout Cortez upon the peak at Darien.

In other news, I played the She-David Cherry Pie by Warrant for the first time yesterday.

Comments

[kashinthegreen.livejournal.com]

Yes, this is indeed the case. Sadly, I found that my school were insisting that instead of taking the low ability pupils and showing them how cool science is, blowing shit up and stuff. I had to make the barely literate and disinterested students, and make them write coursework, for exams they would ultimately never be entered for lest their failure affect the league tables. This is why I left.

[tamora burn (from livejournal.com)]

As rosy as all that sounded its not far off... in that teaching your subject is rarely fulfilling. But every teacher I have ever trained I have pointed out that its a once in a life time occurrence to take a child to a 'dawn over new vistas' ... most of us l just like to see them doing the best with what they have - whatever that is and however they have it.

Daily kicks though tend to just be watching them grow, making one or two of them smile, giving another few a slap on the back so they feel good about themselves and willing to try again. I like to say things to them that come out of their left field and make them think about something, anything in a different way. I like to address my classes in stupid ways - variously, 'my chickens, my chick-a-dees, my chicken peas, my lovely fleas... honestly I adore you all but if we spend more than 50 mins together I will start to itch...'

But honestly, I have been teaching for ten+ years because I like teenagers. I like their cocky attitudes, I like the fact they are breaking out of childhood and trying, mostly failing, to be 'adult'... I love the stuff they say and I honestly do not mind being shouted at, or when they kick or lash out... I want to know why they did, and I want to show them another way than being angry or frustrated, I want them to know that someone values them and gives a shit about how they progress in this world.

And, you know... the holidays are quite good too, on the reward front.

[(Anonymous)]

So, love bomb baby or kiss me deadly next?

[davywavy.livejournal.com]

I'm reluctant to push on too fast in case she gets dispirited and left behind. I'm thinking about Nothin' but a good time.

[will-sample.livejournal.com]

No wonder you like talking about economics.....

[(Anonymous)]

Bollocks. You pray that your best and brightest might one day be in a position of Power and be able to put your Philosophy into effect. Sod the also rans.

Aristotle & Alexander the Great

Godber &...

D

[(Anonymous)]

... Fletch?

H

[(Anonymous)]

I was only going to say Haig...yours are funnier