Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Power of Kind Words
I was impressed that such a brilliant man as John Adams had had some struggles with teachers during his education. He had such a difficult time with one particular teacher that he quit going to school altogether. It wasn’t until his father enrolled him into a private school that Mr. Adams began studying again. “John was enrolled the next day in a private school down the road where, kindly treated by a schoolmaster named Joseph Marsh, he made a dramatic turn and began studying in earnest.” Sometimes it’s hard to remember what an impact a few kind words have on our students. Way to go Joseph Marsh…what an impact on what an amazing student. I shudder to think what would have happened if John Adams had never re-connected to his education.
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Your what if questions makes me think in reverse. How many would be great students don't get turned back on by the right teacher? Maybe eventually Adams would have done it on his own. At any rate, how we treat students is important.
ReplyDeleteI have had to 'smile' over John Adam's concern for his son's education while in Europe and finding good schools and teachers. He did understand the need for a good education for his children while he was in France. It was hard for me as a mother,to think that this boys were at a boarding school - so far away from their mother's attentions, but not with their father either. It is amazing however, that at such a young age, these boys were fluent in French and Latin and studied the masters of Europe. I so wish my 8th grade students could understand the need for such an education. :)
ReplyDeleteAs teachers we can do so much to influence student's attitudes about school and even particular subjects. There aren't many things that validate me more as a teacher than when a parent tells me their child enjoys my class because I know how hard I make them work and if they enjoy it too, I've succeeded!
ReplyDeleteAdams said teachers should be encouragers. I hope that is what we are doing because we really do have the power to turn students to learning or to make them hate it.
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