reflection

At 10 pm there is no time to get creative and all fancy with words when there is a midnight deadline. HLSS....hmmm.....I talk when I have something to say but prefer to observe and listen. I was amused from very early by the varying human emotions that surfaced whenever assignments were presented. They ranged from sheer panic or not so mild waves of anxiety to those who quietly observed the behaviours demonstrated by some and quietly just did what needed to be done minus the drama.

By the last session there was a fall off from the original number of students...as expected....I suppose thats just the way it is.  I was particularly disappointed when our 63 year old classmate, Ms. Williams, failed to show for the last two sessions. Without knowing it but via this blog Ms. Elcock will become aware of my observation.

During our first class there was an "ice breaker" session of sorts. Ms Williams spoke ad nauseam, providing a detailed account of her distant past experiences to her present and future endeavours. Ms. Elcock did indeed exercise to the fullest extent one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit that day...PATIENCE!

From that point on it became clearer to me that Ms. Elcock not only had a particular interest in her but also a healthy respect for her.  I observed with more than mild interest her not so discreet efforts at ensuring that Ms. Williams kept apace with her peers. During my earlier years in teaching I often engaged in rather heated exchanges with admin every September school opening. Like clockwork I was routinely assigning me the weakest class. I often reminded them that Special Ed was NOT my elective in college.

It took some time to rewire my thinking and readjust my concept of success within the classroom. One of the more powerful lessons learnt from this was that the true metal of a teacher is measured by the movement of the weakest student and not the strongest.  Ms. Elcock's actions demonstrated to me not only one of her   her qualities but more importantly served as a reminder why I signed up for this programme.

To whom much is given, much is expected and if we do not attempt to help those who are most in need then our journey ....on the course, life et al will all be in vain.