The vast majority of mankind nowadays is going through life in hiding.Yes,that's right.We're hiding.From the judgment of the people around us,our loved ones,our colleagues and employers but most importantly from ourselves.From very early on in life we have been shown that who we are is not acceptable.That we should conform to certain protocols and rules of behaviour.We are taught that we are too boisterous and that we should behave in a more decent,"quiet"way.Or we are too quiet.Then we should become more "alive",more outgoing.There really is no end to the list of expectations imposed upon every one of us daily on how we should behave or what we should be.So, we dutifully oblige and take on various roles-parent,emplyee,director,friend and what not.We put on our mask and perform the role the way we think others want us to be,not as a true expression of our authentic nature. It is in nature of man to move in groups-whether that is family,schoolmates,colleagues or friends.The need to belong,to be loved and accepted by others,to fit in, is therefore inherent in human nature.The lengths to which we go daily to comply to the expectations of what we should look like or behave is mind-blowing. We worship celebrities and try to look like them,hoping that will bring the much-desired acceptance.Extreme dieting,plastic surgeries,exposing ourselves to dangerous substances or enduring harrassment-everything in order to be accepted.Why then do we feel so miserable after achieving our purpose of being accepted? Why do we feel smothered by the same people we once yearned to be close to and accepted by?It's simple really.By trying to fit in, we have smothered and silenced our unique voice and expression.We have compromised our very essence. The most tragic aspect of this is that we perpetuate this gross violation of a person's soul by passing it on to our children.We teach them not to be themselves.We teach them to be quiet.To learn by heart and not judge.We teach them very often to look the other way and not speak out if they witness an injustice-even when the injustice is done to them.I know I am guilty of this myself.Too many times have I attempted to even out my daughter's boisterous,rebellious nature.Telling her not to shout.Not to speak up.Yet,isn't that smothering her essence?Isn't that stealing her gifts from her?My daughter could very well become a leaader in her field one day with such a personality.Why steal her future from her?Why should I try to fit her into a mould that is not made for her?We can't all be the same.Surely,there are more subdued,quiet people by nature and that is perfectly fine.But not all of us can be like that. As a teacher I've seen hundreds of children, all unique souls,beautiful to behold.Yet,it is abhorrent what the educational system is doing to them.Trying to impose ONE type of educational approach to thousands of students,doing unspeakable harm to those young minds.Why should there be a uniformity of personalities in this world?A mosaic is much more colourful,varied and infinitely more beautiful to the eyes.And in no way is it boring to the mind.What it takes then is an educational system that is more customised to the varying personalities we as teachers have the honour of impacting-and being impacted by,in return.To bring forth into the world a host of souls,each uniquely colourful and formidable, to impact the world with their uniqueness and varied talents. Every person on this planet has his/her own unique energetic signature .A unique soul essence.No one is the same and that is the beauty of it all. Seven billion unique souls on the earth.Each one with a unique personality and soul qualities.Each one with their own personalised mission.Every one of them deserves to be loved and accepted exactly as they are.Not shunned because of their talents or differences,but embraced and loved for them.Respected.Encouraged to hone them and show them off because that is the only way to make a difference. On an ending note,I would like to add one more little thing.It's not enough if we only extend this courtesy to others.We would be doing ourselves- and the world, a disservice if we allowed ourselves the comfort of our mask,the one that allowed us to fit in.It's about time we all stand out and shine the bright light of our uniqueness into the world.Bask in your weirdness.Glory in your flaws,for they are what make you the one-of-a-kind person you are meant to be.Go ahead then.Take off that mask.Be who you are meant to be.Let the world see you.Breathe in the love of those who accept you.Those that can't - well,so be it.Send them your love and move on.Life is too short to dwell on the negative.It is a miraculous adventure.Sparkle your light and love on everyone and everything you do and make this world a better place for everyone.Just by being YOU.You are more than ENOUGH. As always with love and light, Lia Some extra inspirational advice from a uniquely awesome woman...Gabrielle Bernstein.
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This June marked my 18-year anniversary as an English teacher.I pride myself on having learnt quite a lot on what makes students tick-and what doesn't.It's fairly easy to make students like you,as long as you are willing to take the time to do so.Otherwise,my fellow-teacher, below I list some rules on how you can make your students totally hate you if you are hellbent on it. Here we go. 1.Forget your students' names.In fact,don't ask them for their names at all.Use your student list to call them if necessary.Who needs to take the trouble to learn names?Too much fuss over nothing, you think. 2.On the same note,avoid personal contact with them at all costs.You wouldn't want to become personally engaged in their interests,their hobbies or their lives for that matter.Make sure to be as detached as possible from your students.You don't get paid to show them your interest,you get paid to do your lesson and leave.No connection,no emotional mess.Who needs that after all? 3.Never come prepared for your classes.Do not go over the finer details of each day's lesson and for God's sake do not correct their homework on time.After all, you have a life.Why on Earth would you bother over a stack of essays or dictations?They can wait.And surely you can improvise should you not remember something you are meant to teach them.Or maybe give them an impromptu test.That should keep them busy. 4. During your lesson, speak in your most monotonous, bored out-of-your-mind voice.You are there, in class doing your duty,right?Why make it any more interesting or engaging for your students?They don't like you anyway,so give them some more reasons to continue doing so. 5. Never allow them to participate actively during your sessions-make sure the sound of your own precious voice is heard.And above al, make sure they don't take initiative or make an effort to become a more integral part of the lesson.Ignore their requests and continue talking and doing your thing.You've always wanted an audience that would just listen to you.Now you have it.Even if it's against their will.Even if they'll hate you for it. 6.You've got that shy student just sitting there,never raising a hand or participating in your lessons.Don't bother trying to make any effort to engage him/her in your lessons.Keep them quiet.Less effort for you.You can deal with those students who actually want to learn from you or are top of the class.Why bother to empower one more?Too much trouble.Similarly,avoid the cumbersome task of helping out your weaker or more indifferent students like the devil.Whoever said that they ought to be helped to step up their game and become all they can be?Nonsense.You don't have time for that. 7. Never teach your students anything outside the set and approved curriculum.Their interests?You couldn't care less.After all,their interests are not more important than your job.Why on earth get involved in teaching them about the matters troubling the earth or the people?Nothing is going to change if you do.They can figure it out for themselves.Besides, you are not getting paid to do that. 8.Never use that tool of pair and/or groupwork the other teachers keep talking about.They can just as well work by themselves and for themselves.Who cares if they could learn something from their classmates or worse,feel confident about themselves?Nah,too much noise and trouble.Let things be as they are. 9. Likewise, never assign any projects/presentations or book reading assignments or do oral work like debates in the classroom.Too much diversity.It would be a burden for you to prepare all that and it deviates from the curriculum.Innovation and teacher initiative are overrated. 10.Speak to your students in as demeaning way as possible.Humiliate them in front of their classmates for their failures and whatever you do,never,ever acknowledge ,praise or celebrate their successes inside or outside the classroom.Your job description said nothing about politeness.You are there to teach your subject.Keep yourself professional and standoffish. If you think the above examples were outrageous then you are not a teacher or you are still new to the occupation.In the past 18 years I have seen examples of all 10 types.I am sad to say that some of my colleagues were very much unapologetic about it.As I grew as a teacher I've come to develop my own theories of what makes a teacher likeable by his students -and which of course come in direct contrast with everything I've described above. A teacher is always,always prepared for class.No matter how seaoned we are there is always some studying involved or there is always something to add to the lesson to spice it up a bit. We never forget our students' names.It is true that for all people,even our students the sound that is dearest to us is the sound of our own name.So, why not make the effort to connect with them doing this little,very simple thing-remember their name? Connect,connect, connect.I can't stress it enough.YOur students need your attention.They need to feel you are someone they can trust on all levels,someone who will listen to them and yes, even accept them and love them just as they are.That goes especially for the less confident, shier students or the less"good" students who need your unconditional trust and constant encouragement to take that leap of faith. Whatever subject you are teaching,always make the time to bring some diversity to your sessions by teaching them something different.There is no lack of matters that are as appealing as they are necessary for them to know and be encouraged to think about.Environmental issues,humanitarian issues,poverty etc.YOu would be surprised how excited that will make them.New minds, new views.Who knows what YOU can learn from them.Organise that presentation/discussion.Encourage them to read that book, watch that video and assign that project.They will jump at the opportunity to show off their knowledge and express their opinions.And they will love you for giving them the chance to do that. Finally, our students are worthy of our respect and nothing less.Our own respect towards them will ignite their respect towards us.We get what we give.So,I don't care if you have financial issues,if you had a fight with your spouse the night before......your duty is to your students once you enter that classroom.Set the example.Leave your troubles outside the classroom.Be your best version in that room and you will see it reflected in your students.Make the effort.Take the trouble.Change your students and change the world. That was a typical Lia rant.I know it was a long post but it is a matter that is close to my heart and I feel passionate about it,We teachers hold the future quite literally in our hands.Let's make it a good one,for all our sakes. As always,with love and light, Lia |
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August 2021
CategoriesAuthorI am a passionate English teacher.Aspiring writer and speaker.I take educational matters to heart and hope to bring about some positive change in the field of education. |