Dear Granddad,
How are you? Have the cows come home yet? I just wanted
to tell you about what I have experienced in my school placing and what you
told me to expect. You were right in the regards of students asking me if my
last name was truly my last name. They would say “Is that your real name?” I
would reply “Yes.”, and they would reply with snickers and laughs. They would
then become serious when I took the podium however. There are a few students
who would rather be anywhere else instead of my classroom. They think that I
can’t see them texting on their phones, but no one looks down in their laps for
no reason.
There are, however, many students who are happy and
excited to be in class. They have come to learn, and are in good spirits. I
know you taught for over forty years, and I now understand how you loved the
experience of giving a student a AH HA moment. Watching their lost face turn
from a frown to a luminescent smile. The other day I was teaching my students
about character development, and that characters do change when certain
circumstances arise. After reading our first book, we discussed the character
that changed his views by the end. Once a student raised his hand and asked
about another character’s change of opinion and asked if that was character
development, I told him yes, and his eyes lit up, realizing that he was able to
access the character correctly. It made my week.
It’s like you always said, the lighting of students’
minds and imaginations makes education the greatest profession in the world
today. Another thing I need to ask though is, how did you respond to students
who tried to talk back to you? We can’t send them to the principle to receive a
paddling any more. How do you think you would handle that? There is a female
student who is trying to act all tough in front of her boyfriend. Hope to see
you soon!
Love,
Austin
Mr. Mann,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your personal connections with your grandfather in this letter to him. I was close to my grandparents and miss them all very much, especially now as I reach the end of my formal education and entry into the teaching profession. your letter says that he taught for forty years. That is amazing! What commitment that must have called for! You share that drive and your anecdote shows that. Keep up the good work!
Austin:
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this letter to your grandfather. I agree that the "ah ha!" moment is so special; that is one of the reasons I chose this career. I love how you (and your grandfather) put it: the "lightning" of a student's mind. It is great that you can share this love of teaching with your grandfather! Both of my grandmothers, one grandfather, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins are teachers in my family--teaching must run in families!
Thank you!
Sarah
Dear Austine,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your writing. I really appreciate you representing the things that all teachers struggle with, and your letter is great because you are getting advice, from what it sounds like, a pro. My favorite part was about giving the students that "ah ha" moment because it is what we all are really hoping for! It sounds like you could truly get some great advice form your grandfather. I found it humorous how you added "paddling" in your letter. It is just funny to see how much things have changed over the years.
Thank you,
Lindsey Wiggins