A colleague in another
department of my school has a son whom I have taught twice. I taught Ivan in
grade nine and noted he was intelligent and sometimes too talkative in class.
His behaviour was not too difficult to manage however. In grade ten he was in
Madame R’s French class. His behaviour was inappropriate at times and Madame R.
went to speak to his dad, our colleague, about it. Ivan’s dad’s view was that she was
the problem. This year Ivan is in my class again. I’ve had to confiscate his hat on a couple of
occasions. The school rule is no hats on in the building. Yesterday his outbursts,
mostly loud verbal exchanges with another student, and the hat issue led to a
talk in the hall with him. I know he wants to apply to RMC and train for the
military. I asked him if the value of respect for authority was something he
valued as someone entering the military. He agreed it was. I then told him I
expected him to be a leader of respectful behaviour, not just someone who tries
to behave on or under the line of respect. To date my relationship with his dad has been
very cordial. I don’t know if his dad’s
attitude toward me will change…..
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It seems to me that you really gave him valuable and insightful comments whether he realize it or not. Your action was honest and responsible as a teacher. It is not always easy to admit our mistake. Your colleague might not feel uncomfortable for a while but he would have to accept it someday. If you notice any change in his attitude, it could be a good chance for sincere conversation and the relationship could grow better. In my personal perspective, I appreciate teachers' exhortation with good intention. From my experience, I realized that I learned much more and be strengthened through exhortation than praise. The exhortation of love and care will never fail the student. - Hyesung Kim
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