One of the best lessons I learned from my students is patience. I had to admit “Patience” is not my middle name. It has never been and [I thought] it will never be. But surprise… surprise… who could have thought that one day I would wake up to a brand new day with the word ‘patience’ written all over my forehead?
Teaching is a continuous and endless lesson of patience, so to speak. Trying to understan
d teaching in that context, the teaching profession is for the patient and gifted people with compassion for kids who are both patient and impatient. They say that the teaching profession is a noble vocation but they did not say that you should be a saint to be one. However, you are considered a good person if you are a teacher because patience is a virtue. And that virtue it is enough to be able to handle kids with great compassion. So, “Why did I become a teacher?”… You would ask. “I don’t know.”… I would reply back.
Here is the thing. My reasons may be shallow and selfish but somehow along the way I have realized that they are the only way I could make that drastic decision to change career and see the teaching profession in an entirely different light. My reasons are too shallow that looking back now, I could just give a shrug and laugh about it. My reasons are shallow alright but they are my redeeming factor to change my middle name to “Patience”.
It was not that easy. Being used to my old ways, it was not easy to make some changes to become an effective teacher. I had to admit I failed a lot of times. But I am also proud that I always stood back up each time that I fell. And for those 11 long years of dealing with patience and self-control, I had to admit I become the person that I thought I’ll never be. And for that… I have my students to thank for.
Now that I am no longer in the classroom and don’t have to deal with students, still… “Patience” works well with me. I am now using my acquired “middle name” to deal with my daily routine. I use my middle name to deal with my Hubby and my 7-year old step-son who is diagnosed with autism spectrum. My middle name helps me deal with my new life out of my comfort zone… with my new found family… with the culture shock… and with my future as an out-of-school teacher.
Tags: Learning, lessons, patience, students, teaching
i’m a teaher myself.. i never really dreamed to become a teacher… but along the way, i eventually came to love my profession.. no choice.. haha.. unlike you, i’m not equiped with that 8-letter word… P-A-T-I-E-N-C-E… guess that will be acquired over the years though…
Patience will indeed bring us to a lot of happiness, answers and opportunities. And also, peacefulness. Great post, Ruthi.
For Jhordane… a lot of my former students didn’t like to be a teacher too but they took up education because they don’t have any choice…. you know how it is there, right. and eventually they also love the job now.
For Bechai… I agree with you. It may not be easy but it’s worth it if you learn the virtue.
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