CARING
TEACHERS
I’ve recently read a paper written by John
D. Lawry, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of psychology, Marymount College of Fordham
University, New York, titled ‘Caring Still Matters’. He discusses the positive long-term
impact on college graduates who had a professor/mentor who “stimulated them,
cared about them and encouraged their hopes and dreams”, based on a survey of
30,000 graduates in America, as reported in ‘Academe Today’ by Scott Carlson, 9
May, 2014. 63% of those graduates surveyed had a professor who made them
excited about learning. However, only 27% had a professor who cared about them
and, even less, only 22%, had a mentor who encouraged them to follow their
dreams.
Lawry also mentions other studies/reports
that verify the lasting benefits to students who were fortunate enough to have
an influential caring teacher at elementary school.
I had one of those at high school.
From about the age of eight
or nine, I became a prolific reader. By the time I was ten, I had the burning
desire to become a writer.
Due to the negative impact of a succession
of formative experiences including: the fearful environment of primary school
(and later high school) where the teachers meted out brutal corporal punishment
at will, without being accountable; and other injustices I was powerless to
handle – I chose to become ‘the innocent victim of a cold and heartless world’.
My self-defeating reaction to these
circumstances was to get ‘revenge’ by adopting a stance of non-cooperation, or
non-participation in the education process in high school, by doing the minimal
to get by and not being involved in anything the school had organized – whether
it be academic, sporting or social activities if I could get away with it.
Funny thing, my protests had no discernible effect on the high school
whatsoever!
In my second
year at high school, Mr. Hodge became my English teacher and remained so for
the next four years of schooling. Mr. Hodge, a kind and gentle man and a warm
enthusiast for English Literature and Expression, somehow saw a spark of talent
in me and gave me much encouragement and support – unlike most of my other
teachers who seemed, at best, to be just going through the motions. As a
result, I did well in English and that was enough to drag me over the line in
my final examinations.
No, I didn’t go on to pursue a writing
career, but settled for safety and the attraction of $s, thus dooming myself to
a stultifying and soul-destroying accounting career in industry and commerce.
At the age of 60 I began writing in my spare
time. Since then I’ve written and self-published four books. The underlying
theme of most of these works of fiction is self-help/spiritual, based on my
life’s experiences with the objective of helping readers (especially Young
Adults) learn from my mistakes and avoid some of the pitfalls I’ve encountered
along the way.
Writing, for me, is an extremely satisfying
experience and very therapeutic, as I delve into my past and into the murky
recesses of my mind and share my voyage of self-discovery with the readers of
my books and blogs.
My high school teacher, Mr. Hodge,
stimulated me, cared about me and encouraged my hopes and dreams. I might have
been a bit tardy in getting my writing act together, but I will always be
grateful for his teaching, enthusiasm and support.
Has anyone else had a
teacher/professor/mentor who recognized your gift in you? Who honoured and
challenged you and helped you find your goals and dreams?
djdelene.blogspot.com
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