You shouldn's smile

Working as a teacher can be fascinating in many ways.

Just to reiterate, I am NOT a teacher, I am just working as one. Nothing against teachers, I respect them and grant them that the teaching profession is really one of the hardest ones ever, but I dont identify with it. Its not who I am.

Nevertheless, I have to do it from time to time, so I might as well enjoy it and learn from it. Luckily, being a teacher really gives you literally thousands of ideas for reflection. A day in school can be so rich, so full of food for thought, it is almost unbearable. The main reason for that is, of course, that you are dealing with PEOPLE. Unique personalities, even if young in age, who give a representation of society, as it is and as it will be when this generation of youngsters grows up. Its quite scary really.

Especially as I am now working as a music teacher, I have the incredible luck of having 235 fresh faces in front of me every week, in rotating groups,in 40 minute-sessions, 6 times per day, 5 days per week. I love it! (its torture sometimes, but I love it). Out of this 235 faces, some will stick to my head and some will even be associated with names. Some I think I will remember forever, while others I will immediately forget. But in the heat of the moment, all these faces are important to me.

Learning experience number 1: I walk in the class on my first day. I receive curiocity looks (is that the new teacher? how long will she stay? will she give us lots of homework? whats her name?) I introduce myself confidently and loud. And I make the mistake...of smiling. I think I lost them there. Now Im being labelled as a "softie" and kids jump on every opportunity to walk all over me. Conclusion: When authority has a human face, it loses its grip. In fairness, this does not apply for everyone, good kids will be nice no matter what. But the borderline cases took my initial friendiless as an easy victory. When I ask mischeifs to leave the classroom, all I get is "or what?".

This makes me reflect on human motives for being good, for behaving right. Do we cease to be good as soon as we know we can get away with bad behaviour? Are human inherently bad, unless they know there will be some kind of consequence for their bad actions?

Apart from learning about individuals, I learn a lot about group dynamics. It is incredible how people change under the influence of a group (and I dont think this applies only to kids). Its like a person surrenders his/her own personality to that of the group, just to fit in. Actions that the individual wouldnt even think of doing alone become the norm if the group decides they are legitimate. Its weird. And it scares me!

But now I know. Next time I find myself in a new classroom, I will certainly not make the mistake of being nice. I will do my job properly, I will be fair and just and I will do my best to teach in a comprehensive way. But I will keep the line of teacher and student, authority and submission. At least until the kids learn how to handle a more relaxed, friendly relationship.