Heart of a

Teacher

Brooklyn Rose
“But at other moments, the
classroom is so lifeless or painful
or confused—and I am so
powerless to do anything about
it that my claim to be a teacher
seems a transparent sham”
The beginning of my teaching journey
This quote instantly made me go back to my first teaching placement in grade one. The students were so wound up and excited
about Christmas holidays and I had my faculty advisor there to observe my lessons for my placement. There was no controlling
this class on this day, at this hour. They were being super silly, talking back, saying no, running around and just not in the head
space to be apart of a lesson (I blame all the halloween candy). After multiple attempts to gain their attention I felt defeated,
upset and that I was going to get a pretty awful grade. I told the students that I think we needed to blow off a little energy and
to put their coat and boots on and we were going to run around outside for 15 minutes. After the lesson and it was snack time I
got to debrief with my FA and she asked how I thought I did and I said awful and broke down. She was quick to tell me she
thought I handled this situation perfectly and that I knew I could not teach an effective lesson so giving them an energy break
was the right thing to do at this time. This was my first time realizing that as a teacher, you need to be flexible and not to be so
hard on yourself.
“When we listen primarily for what we “ought” to be doing
with our lives, we may find ourselves hounded by external
expectations that can distort our identity and integrity. “
Being yourself
I grew up always feeling that I had to fit in as my school was filled with bullies. I
never would wear certain clothes, play certain games at recess or talk to certain
people or you would be bullied. I struggled with anxiety as a child and I would always
avoid putting myself in any of these scenarios. As I got older and acknowledged I was
holding myself back I asked myself why. Who was I afraid of. I turned my life around
and I was me. I did what I wanted, talked to who I wanted and wore what I wanted. I
did what I thought was right and did not care about what was ‘cool’. Having the
opportunity to teach now, I want to make sure no child experiences what I did. I do
not want any of my future students to fit into one box. I want them to each be their
own individual and teach each other about themselves and what makes them unique
and guiding their journey.
“Our task is to create enough safe spaces
and trusting relationships within the
academic workplace—hedged about by
appropriate structural protections”
Experiences
I have had many different teaching experiences, placements and opportunities
throughout my education. One thing I was able to learn is the value in building a
trusting, caring relationship with your students. Each student is different and have
needs and some do not have other safe relationships. If you build a solid rapport
with your students and show them that you are a trusting, supportive adult is they
will allow the classroom to be a safe place for them. If you let your students feel safe
then they will take full advantage of all the potential learning opportunities. I have
seen classes where the bond between the students and educator is so amazing and
they have nothing but fun and success and other classes that were depressing even
to enter and no communication. I want to be a teacher that has a great rapport with
students.
Article: The Heart of a Teacher by Parker J. Palmer
http://www.couragerenewal.org/parker/writings/heart-of-a-teacher/