Talk about timing. I am really frustrated now with the children I teach as any who have been following my blog know. I am in the process of re-reading one of my favorite books--Light in August by William Faulkner. Chapter Six is about the early years of a main character named Christmas. It is one of the most profound insights into the subconscious of children. I came across a quotation that had much relevance to my current frustrations. It goes as follows-- "..since he had already learned that though children can accept adults as adults, adults can never accept children as anything but adults too." After reading this two days ago, I have caught myself since thinking very quickly, "why do they have to yell all the time? Why can't they just stop talking?" Or even trying to speak to them like adults. What's more is that I am trying to speak to them in English like they are adults. I need to take Faulkner's words to heart, and the next time I pause, understand that these are not adults but children. It is so easy to get stuck in adult reasoning. I am finding this job requires a special talent of staying firmly planted in the adult mind while having one foot on the other side of the fence in the children's psyche. I am also discovering that I don't have that talent. What's worse is I am not sure I can develop it. The bright side? I know my deficiency and can work towards getting better. As long as that is my goal, then perhaps, by rules of logic, my classroom frustrations must improve, if only slightly.
SUCKS ASS: IT IS RAINING AND I HAVE NO UMBRELLA.
KICKS ASS: RAIN=SPRING=WARMER WEATHER
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have you read Teacher Man by Frank McCourt? I just did, and I felt like he was describing a lot of the feelings I get when teaching esol or teaching for the first time. I know you're not a first year teacher or anything, but you might enjoy it.
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