In every school, there are different grade levels. In every grade level, there are different sections. In every section, there are different students. And in every student there are different attitudes.
Every school year teachers encounter students who are not interested in studying. Those students tend to bully fellow students and even teachers. It is not new to see their parents in guidance office every day. I handled one section with 40 students last school year. I can say that it is not easy but rather challenging. I am receiving negative reports and comments about my advisory class saying that they are rude, noisy and disobedient.
One day before I enter their classroom, one of my students said. “Ayan na si Ma’am Joanna, papagalitan na niya tayo” (Here comes Ma’am Joanna, she’s going to scold us again). I was surprised hearing my student. However, I am more surprise with what I felt. The initial reaction for that statement is perhaps you’ll get mad and will tell your student to shut up. But that moment, one thing I realized is there’s something wrong with the way I teach my students. Yes, they want attention but is that the only thing they want?
According to Carl Jung, “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to a better understanding of ourselves”. I was once a rebellious teenager when I was their age. I hate school. I hate studying. I hate everything. My students are exactly like me. They want attention but above all they want to be loved.
Does imparting knowledge is the only reason why we chose to become a teacher? Are we willing to help and guide them in facing challenges of life? Are we open to accept the reason behind their behavior? Do we really care?
I am thankful that there’s this one teacher who never gave up on me. I want her to see my success in the near future and I want to see the success of all my students as well. I’ve read a quote in my social media account saying. “Behind every successful person is a great teacher”. So are you going to build them or break them? You decide.
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