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On parents night, lots of parents came to see me. They're supposed to talk with the real teacher. But some definitely wanted to see me - and not to yell at me, either.
One Japanese couple - shorter than me, by the way - whose son was a first generation American, came right over to me with big smiles on their faces. They didn't say anything, they just smiled. And when I said something, they bowed -- and I bowed. And before I knew it, we all were bowing and smiling and having a wonderful time.
An evaluator came to observe me. It's part of the course for an intern. It's like an exam. My students - American History students - were presenting group projects that day. I sat down and let groups of students teach the class. (Hey, I told you American History wasn't my strong subject. So I let the kids teach.)
The evaluator had a good time. She told me how amazed she was that I chose to sit down on the day she came to evaluate my teaching. But do you know what? She gave me high marks anyway.
Flash forward to the end of my internship! Well, you already know I got high marks. The students got high marks, too - and they earned them. Moreover, everybody had a good time - we all laughed a lot. And I think everybody was changed - for the better. I mean, I think everybody learned something.
And who do you suppose got the most out of it all. Nope, not the students. And not the real teacher who got to relax and have time to herself while I took over her classes. Me! I learned more than everybody else, put together. I learned, once and for all, that there really was a teacher in me. . .
More Adventures In The Classroom: My illustrious career as a teacher went on from there. I taught in all sorts of settings, all sorts of age groups, and all sorts of subjects. My classes were different from other classes. People (student people as well as teacher-type people) had fun and we all learned quite a bit. Not all the time. But more times than for most teachers.
Was I lucky? Well, yes and no. My grandma used to say, "If you're smart, you're lucky. And if you're lucky, you're smart." I never knew what that meant when she said it. But today, I think I do.
You see, as I said, my classes weren't always a good time. In fact, sometimes they were downright miserable. I think I was lucky (and smart) when I did things my own way. And I was unlucky when I just followed the system.
There was a reason for following the system. Not a very good reason. But a practical reason. See, when I followed my own teacher's instincts - when I planned lessons where students enjoyed the class - my students would succeed beyond normal expectations. And I loved seeing that. But soon, I would be out of a job.
I'm not kidding. Administrators did not like me. And probably some teachers had problems with me, too. Maybe they were being protective of the system. All I know is, when students enjoyed me as their teacher, I lost a job. When I tried to follow the system, I could keep the job, but students didn't gain so much. And my life was not so fun.
"The Good Ol' Education Factory"
This isn't me, either. But sometimes, isn't this what it feels like? |
"If you do not change direction,
you may end up where you are heading."
(Any idea who said this?)
We all deserve better! All of us.. Students, teachers, even administrators deserve better than what our education systems offer. Why? Look where our education systems have gotten us. Is the world better off today than it was 50 years ago - or even 5 years ago?
Looks to me like we have more disharmony today than we did yesterday. And it appears that poverty is more widespread. AND it is evident that students' performance levels are going down very rapidly.
"We, The Teachers, Have To Step Up And Step In"
We, educators, have to take responsibility. I'm not saying we should be blamed for the failures of our societies. But we should take responsibility for turning things around. Nobody else does. It's up to us, and I'll talk more about why in another article.
Be a real teacher! Let me show you the teacher in you. That's what I'm here for. Like you, I want the best for our students. I want our students to perform beyond all expectations. I want all our students to immensely enjoy every moment of their lives.
It starts with us - you and me. We have to be real teachers. We have to be role models. We have to perform beyond our own expectations. And we have to immensely enjoy meaningful lives.
Does this all sound like radical ravings? Teachers having success? Teachers enjoying their lives? Teachers enjoying their work? Students enjoying their lives and performing beyond all expectations? Is it all a fairy tale?
Categorically, "Yes," and categorically, "No!" None of it is true when we just follow along and don't even try to innovate positive changes. None of it is true when we don't believe it can be true.
But I will say this flat out; "It ain't no fairy tale!" I have seen and heard with my own eyes and ears what students can do when we give them a fighting chance. I have experienced time and again the real joy that comes from guiding students to their peaks.
And now I want all teachers to enjoy the same feeling -- everyday. I want all teachers to be confident, successful role models for their students. I want this because I want to see many positive changes in the world itself.
So what do you say? Will you join me? Why don't you sign up for "FreeWays" (See the little ad up above.). It's free anyways, right? Sign up and let's make life better for all of us, starting with us.
Keep a smile on your face,
And a dance in your feet!
Jerry Waxman
Prince of Songkla University
Faculty Of International Studies
Phuket, Thailand
+66 86 923 8459
Skype: jerry.waxman
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