Adolescents. Why I choose to teach them.

"Why does LOVE hurt? "
"Do you like cheese?" (when discussing about slavery )
"Would you like to have children some day?"
"why do you even care to teach me?" 
"Why is your face a square?" 

These are some of the amazing, deep and sincere questions I have had the pleasure to be addressed to when teaching adolescents. . . I believe that when our soul is ready, we find the path we are to walk.
My path in teaching adolescents began quite a few years ago and It has not been easy just because life is difficult for an adolescent. . . They undergo so many deep and hurtful changes that they simply cannot help it; To that, we may add absent parents or economic issues and bingo!! 

After many stomach-aches, tears and self-discoveries, It dawned on me that if I opened my heart to their silent suffering in a compassionate way, I would be able to send a sign: "hey, I know. . . It is not easy but stay with me; I understand; It will be over. I promise." Once that intangible sign was sent, everything changed for good :) 

Yes, I know what you might be thinking: "despite a teacher's predispositions, adolescents insult, do not appreciate our classes, neither listen nor study!!" and that is sometimes true in fact ;) but I teach in spite of that; I go for that soul who is struggling to , at least, understand what is going on; to that wonderful being who after having said tremendous bad words to you , comes to you and asks if you could forgive him ' cause he is not actually angry at you but at his dad. . . 

But most of all, I choose to teach adolescents because I have faith in their future; whether they become an honest builder or an extraordinary astronomer. I trust them; I trust they will overcome that phase and become warm-hearted adults. That is why I teach adolescents. 

Books that have enriched my teacher soul. Part Two

The extremely shy brunette girl approached the stage when her name was mentioned. Yes, she had won "the best student award" that year; a difficult year for her altough she did not know that at the time. . . 

Looking down, all blushed, she took the gift. It was a book; everyone knew that, but what she did not know was that that book would touch her heart for ever. . . 

Back in her seat, she unwrapped the gift and there it was Ami, a warm-hearted, wise and strange boy. With each turn of the page, the girl was fascinated by him, his words and his teaching. 

Ami was not an ordinary character for the girl. He was a secret friend; always present the moment she opened the book and ready to fill her heart with pure thoughts. 

That girl is in her mid thirties now and still smiles whenever one of Ami's sharings come to her mind. Those words comforted her and not only did they keep her company but also spread to her two loving sisters' hearts. 

I believe that a teacher's heart is made up of thousand of treasures, experiences and anecdotes. Ami and the book he is in are definitely one of my cherrished companies. 

Do you treasure a book like that? Please, share your comments. 

Books that have enriched my teacher soul. Part One

(. .  . ) " so what took you so Long?" 
I was teaching. That`s what took me so Long." Page 3 

On a foogy Saturday afternoon, while walking down Victoria road, I came across a georgeous library. We, teachers, are lured into libraries justo as kids into candy shops ;) therefore, I HAD to enter. Once there, a marvelous book called me: " hey ! I can recognize a teacher miles away. Come; come closer. . . " And there it was. Definitely, showing off a little as he was the ONLY standing book on a lovely decorated table. TEACHER MAN by Frank McCourt. 

Everything about it is engaging! ! His writing style: so colloquial and so teacher like !!! , his anecdotes and his reflections upon his teaching. . . 

Just for you to feel the book, I will transcribe the second part I underlined when reading it for the first time ;) 

(. . .) "In America, doctors, lawyers, generals, actors, television people and politicians are admired and rewarded. Not teachers. Teaching is the downstairs maid of professions. Teachers are told to use the service door or go round the back. They are congratulated on having ATTO (All That Time Off). They are spoken of patronizingly and patted, retroactively, on their silvery locks. " page 4

I simply loved his ATTO word and have used it whenever this topic has been brought up in those typical teachers' discussions. 

Why is it that wherever we go the same concept about teachers is heard ? 
Hasn't anyone seen a woman or man sunbathing on a beautiful beach reading a book on "How to work with Problematic Children" instead of Vogue magazine? What force drives us to keep on going to school every morning? What moves our hearts towards teaching? 


Have you felt identified? Please, share your comments :)

Cut out to be a teacher

My favourite game as a child was to play to be a teacher. I would prepare my bag (an old brownish leather bag given to me by my mom) with all the school objects needed: old, blunt pencils, may be a marker, heavy books from the libraby and a notebook. I would set to the "school" (our back garden actually), prepare the desks for all my students and wait anxiously for them. 

Then my two sisters would "enter" the classroom and we would raise the flag. I remember taking attendance from a long list of invented students and my sisters sitting there looking kind of bored waiting for their names to be said outloud. 

I could spend hours writing anecdotes like this because I just SIMPLY LOVE TEACHING. . . I do not even remember a day when I was asked as a child "what would you like to be in the future?" and I answered something else besides " a teacher". 

But years pass by; you grow up; you laugh; you cry; you study hard, really hard to get your degree and then circumstances face you with situations in the classroom you have not been taught at the teaching training college. . . 

If you feel identified with this or you just wish to learn more about what you could do or could have done in those out-of-the-book situations, follow me ;)