Teacher/Student

It seems to me that I have spent all my life as a student in something. Even in school I remembering studying beyond just what school offered me, I sought extra things to study and apply in my life. The first time I remembering being this was was in Kindergarten, I actually remember doing extra reading and homework so that I could win this picture the teacher had drawn and colored of a lion. Oh I loved that lion.

It was that drive and desire to know, learn and grow that other teachers could see and appreciated in me. I wrote how my 6th grade English teacher, I actually had this happen with my history teacher too, but they both asked me one day, out of the blue to teach the class. Of course I knew nothing about public speaking at this time, nor did I know anything about how to teach anyone. But what happened next astounded me. I knew at that moment that I was going to be some sort of teacher the rest of my life. The children listened, they were sitting on the edge of their seats, they all clapped, they all did their homework the next day....why? At that time I didn't wonder why because my ego was still on a little power trip. But as an adult I have learned why.

When we speak what we love and the experience shines through us then people see the light, they feel the love, and they want more of whatever that is, even if they don't understand it. That love is organized, thoughtful, and has the student in mind first and foremost always. The reason a teacher is always thinking about their student is because they understand how fragile a student can be. They are their to learn, but if they feel that the teacher is trying to prove how smart they are rather than showing the student how smart they truly are, well then....I think you can see what happens next.

The teacher is always the student and the student is always the teacher. This is a simple network that helps both to grow and experience. When one or the other doesn't realize this simple truth then they both split and information is lost. It is only through the teachers eyes that she can see how tender this young student is and it's only through the students eyes to see how magnificent and intelligent the teacher is. Both live within one body! So the teacher encourages and the student encourages.

Some may say my students don't encourage me and that's insane. Well, I will tell you the student does teach. My 6 year old granddaughter was sitting at home one night and said, "Mr. Stupid." She told her mother that was not nice and wanted to know why they were reading a book that put language in it that was inappropriate. Now this is a 6 year old, so if we don't think we learn from the student think again.

When my daughter told my GD absolutely I will talk to the teacher tomorrow, which she did, and the teacher apologized. The teacher said that she didn't understand why she chose that book to read and knew better. HUM! You see we are all human, we all make mistakes, but at least this teacher was able to say I'm sorry.

I've had many wonderful teachers tell me they are sorry for what they said or did. Just like my 6 years old granddaughter my job is not to condemn people for what they are missing the mark on, but to guide them gently to their own realization. My granddaughter knew this was inappropriate material and simply stated it so. She didn't reject it, but rather questioned it.

I learn from my students all the time. I feel this is humbling because I don't put myself above them, but rather with them. How many times have students become dominate? This goes for the student that feels they know it all to.

Why do I write about this today? Because we are here constantly learning, we teach what we learn and we study what we need to understand more of. Just because I have a title behind my name doesn't mean I have stopped learning. And when I do stop learning I will then know it's time to return to the myst. Do some of us teach to learn? Yes, in deed and the students will show up to help you learn.

So the next time you plan to teach here are some helpful hints:
1. Be prepared with your material, never let your students dictate what is to take place within the classroom. Why? Because they have paid you good money to guide them, not the other way around.
2. Be sure all students know what their outline for the day, week or month. The student needs organization because many times as adults their lives are already full, but if they aren't full we need them to study not get organized.
3. Be patient with a student that likes to be the center of attention, they are very fragile. However, guide them gently back to the subject and let them know you will discuss with them privately. The other students are paying just as money to be there as the student that wants to take up every ones time. So do this off class time and see what's really going on with the student.
4. Be centered in your direction. I have seen way too many teachers just want to teach to be teaching and they're all over the place. They charge this and that to do this and that and then everyone is confused. So Student, know what you're needs are and sign up for just that. If you are going to be a doctor you know you're going to need Chemistry, not horsemanship.

So I hope this helps all of us teachers and students. As long as you are breathing you are both your entire life. We are all teaching someone and we are all learning something.

Belief Statement: I take it serious my studies in life and this feels important because I know that it brings me enlightenment while gaining joy and losing confusion.

Spirit Statement: I am the study of life with importance on enlightenment with joy and focus.

Enjoy this beautiful day.
Love, V