Water does the Same Activity as a Hammer

There is a story to tell here.

Elliot and Lucas are students in year 9 that usually get kicked out of a one class or another on a
daily basis. Lucas is dangerously behind in math and Ms. Karla, the math teacher, is
recommending that Lucas be moved down to year 7 because that is what his level is.

They were both sent to the teachers lounge to sit and write an apology to Ms. Karla for the way
they were acting. They got reprimanded from a few of my collegues in the room for how they
treated Ms. Karla.

I sat watching the whole situation take place and something in my heart told me to call them
over. So I did. I told them to pull up their chairs to my desk. There was something I had to say to
them.

They came over with their chairs and I put an open, but stern, serious face on. I looked them both
in the eye. I told them about my experience of being a teacher thus far and my experience as a
student as well. I said as a student I went to a private school and worked hard to learn and
receive good grades. I went to school at 8 every day and left at 6 after all my sports practices. I
then ate dinner and did my homework for 2 hours every night. After that, I took a shower and
went to bed just to do it all over again. I then paused and said, “But the hardest thing I have ever
done is teach. It is not easy to design lessons that are engaging, challenging, and fun at the same
time.” I paused again and after a second I asked,

“Why is Karla upset?”

Another pause.
“Well here is the answer… she is here for you.”
This took the boys aback.
“She is dedicating her time here not for herself but because she is here for you. She used to be a
well paid accountant before teaching. She is here because she wants to give back and see you
succeed.”

The boys were pretty taken aback by this, and I continued,

“One of the most heart breaking feeling I have felt is when my lesson fails and students are
confused. Still it is more painful when students will not listen to you and don’t respect me. It
really just feels like I’m wasting time and my purpose being here is not being met.”

A saw a dawn of understanding light in their eyes. It made me feel as if I had acted in accordance
with the universe. I did not choose to become a teacher to forge students’ nature with a hammer
such as anger. My tool is the form of water, it takes any shape, follows the easiest path, can erode
a mountain, and nurtures all.