Saturday, January 10, 2009
"Ms Eve"
Walking through the open courtyards on campus I hear, "Hi, Ms Eve," echoing from little mouths. I'm only just beginning to feel the weight of the word "teacher," the formality, the responsibility, the potential to ignite minds with a passion for creativity. Bright eyes and soft voices - shy girls with crossed arms blocking the buds of adolescence, eager boys bouncing out of their skin with sweat stained hair plastered to their faces. The awkward and the confident mingling as bodies morph from child to young adult. Perhaps these hours together will be an opportunity to step into the shoes of what they may become... Not to say they are all ready and willing, with teacher comes the testing the boundaries (I've heard those gone by have been reduced to tears), pushing hard against discipline to dangle limbs over the edge of disobedience. It seems unreal to give detention in drama class but so be it if the disturbances continue for there is much work to be done and I refuse to sacrifice our short time together for those who will not step in line. We shall see what is in store for Ms Eve as our saga continues: will she be coveted and loved or mocked and hated or a little bit of both?
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2 comments:
I vote for coveted and loved by I am biased. I am sure you will handle whatever comes your way in the classroom with dignity and grace.
he plans.
I had written you what I thought was potentially helpful but I see I didn't follow the instructions - the design - and so it didn't work. Just like for your students. You ( and the school system ) have set a design for learning and if they students follow the program then they may indeed learn and transform themselves which indeed is the true purpose of education. To lead someone out of themselves. To provide possibilities with which they can then create. You are also dealing with beings who have not chosen to be here. Well, none of us have chosen to be here. But we are here. And when young we go through some powerful changes from being safe and feelings of well being to experiencing that something is wrong and that we are responsible for it and compensating with various schemes like "being good" or "being bad" in the hopes of getting back what we have lost - that freedom and ease and joy and presence.
Your presence and openness and guidance to have them do what is designed is a gift. Some will willingly join in and others will resist and others won't know how to play but who you are is a possibility for transforming both them and of course yourself. For you too are "in school"
I admire your courage in exploring new realms and look forward to sharing your insights and love.
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