I was listening to a Ted
Radio talk show . The speaker was Rita
Pierson , an educator with more than 40 years teaching experience to her credit
and in her own words had spent a massive amount of time in the school room,
among students, and just making human connection in the teaching and learning
arena. She shared many beautiful personal experiences. Learning and teaching
she said, is all about making a connection, the understanding and the relationship factor. It does make
sense as one need the community to survive well. Her statements echoes with truth.
Her talk was simple, basic and yet so
powerful and dynamic that I cannot help but pay attention.
How many of us are aware that relationship is a crucial component of life’s living ? Living is all about the
connecting process- understanding and being understood. Perhaps in the
twosome sphere, we cannot help but realise how important it is
to click and develop that relationship further if we want to have a life together but how many see relationship in the light of enhancement and empowerment in the teaching and learning process? How many see parenting as a relationship
thing? That’s part of teaching and learning too. Perhaps, many may have some insight however that knowledge remains inert among layers of taken for granted cushions , inactive and left sleeping in the background, without any
of its mechanism activated and applied. The
power is there, just not applied.
After chewing upon her talk
and reflecting upon it, I realise that , relationship does scream from every
corner and in every aspect of living. I am aware, yet I have never awakened
enough to really value and apply and leverage upon it, especially in the learning
and teaching sphere. When I took time to reflect, pctures started to form. I started to recall,
memories took shape and I begin to see logic.
I remembered my secondary
school days, as a fun loving student and caring teachers took me under their wings. I
remembered especially my English literature
teacher, who instilled the love of reading and literature into me. She got me
to read, read and read. She got me to spell confidence well. She got me to explore deep into each and every text, understand
what each syllabus meant in context with
the overall. She got me madly in love with William Worthsworth that I could
vanish for hours into his world of nature and see through his eyes the scenic beauty
of the world around him. I never forgot
–The Daffodils even till this day. How lyrical the words:
.........
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure
fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
Those images still flash
vividly in my inward eye, especially in solitude. These are happiness of a different sort.I
remembered each word of guidance and praise from that caring teacher and how it
uplifted me and spurred me on to do better and better. She taught me to look
beneath the surface and explore not only the depths but the different angles when
light reflects. As she taught, she inspires. Due to our good relationship, I was never afraid to seek more help from her, knowing she would have the patience
to sit down and share her knowledge and she never fails. She never tore me to
pieces but install confidence and help complete any jigsaw puzzle. Good
relationship brings with it a unique friendship and trust which has the power
to bring growth and progress in learning. It motivates in a forward motion. It was a mutual fulfilment of
teaching and learning - her part and mine.
Now, when I examined my relationship with my own students.
I see a particular pattern. Those students, I constantly praise and encourage,
do better than others. Students I see as rowdy and naughty, are more distant and less hardworking. There seemed
to be an invisible divider separating the educator and the learner.
I despair when their grades fall and do not
improve, but somehow cannot reach out far enough to draw them into the learning
circle. I cannot catch their attention. On the other end, it is a breeze to
bring learning to those students who already like my teaching methods and are
dedicated to their studies. They are already part of the attentive group, who trusts
and already working to formulate a good rapport
through their attentiveness and interest in learning. There is mutual liking
for one another. Each want to do more for one another.
I’m wondering if the difficulty to touch the
learning in some students is due to lack of good relationship? That not
enough time had been spent to develop understanding between both parties.? Perhaps,
students need to feel the teacher’s care before they could react positively? I’m wondering if relationship is indeed key to
helping each and every teacher teach better , that students are encouraged to remove
their barriers and flow in with the learning, thus learn better. There is a certain logic here. I see it. In a friendly
atmosphere, there are less obstacles blocking the mind. Less resistance. It freely opens up to absorb the
learning. Having trust and respect for the educator adds to the magic. You become an
inspiration. Admired.
That teacher is often seen as an authority on the subject adds to that scoreboard. Teachers must be seen as an expert who is
willing to share and impart knowledge in a positive manner. They must want their students to achieve and be seen as willing to contribute to that achievement. . That helps student
build up interest and confidence in the
subject/s. It always starts with, I want to do well enough to please my teacher
and along the way, before you realise it, you’ve fallen deeply in love with the subject for yourself.You want to excel in it for yourself. Some
students tell me, their love for subjects like Maths and Physics were inspired
by their teachers whom they like and admired very much. Somehow, these teachers
have the skills to open up windows in their mind and they comprehend the lesson
brilliantly. The understanding just flows in.
I even have some people telling
me, that even in doing assignments, if
it is for a lecturer, they look up to, they will break all boundaries to
come up with the best, not only to score but to gain the lecturer’s respect. They
tend to do less brilliantly for lecturers, they were not comfortable with. I’m not
too sure about this, perhaps, they should get rid of that negative feelings for sometime positive to help themselves? Basing on my own school days experiences, and my recent post graduate studies, such brickwalls does arise but admiration and respect for the other do work to break down those barriers for the forward movement. I became a better person, a better learner because of the good relationship factor.
Others may not agree with me. So you educators and learners out there, what do you think? Do you agree
that relationship is a major factor in the teaching and learning? That good relationship improves teaching and learning?
I would like to hear from you if you have anything to say.
