Teaching is hard.
This statement really cannot be understated. There are so many attributes that could make a great teacher. You need to be able to simulate reality, in a sense, in order to plan lessons and activities. You need to be able to interact effectively with many types of people. You need to step into different roles—a manager, a direct instructor, a facilitator, and many more. You need to be able to manage situations, often on the spot. You need to remain calm and patient at all times. You need knowledge of content and of how people learn. You need to be able to assess others’ needs and act on them.
Last week, I was talking to a close colleague at my grade level. We noted together how our students, our class, are almost like our family. While sometimes this can create challenges due to a lack of novelty for all, it also creates deep security and trust.
Relationships are what I value most in education. With some of my students, I have spent so much time that I genuinely feel we can read each other’s minds. As we have discussions or classes, they seem to read me so well that they know what I am thinking, what I want from them, almost before I have said it.
In addition, I find myself smiling more and more as I see myself in them. I see my mannerisms copied, the exact words and phrases I use, and the general way I interact with others.
It is much easier for us to interact with someone, to understand them, and to learn from them when we trust them, know them closely, and like them. What’s more, students—especially young children—really do learn through modelling and copying, and they will be far more relaxed and have far more space to do that with someone they are close to.
So in teaching, for these reasons, never forget the importance of relationships—of building time and trust with students. Then mutual support and understanding are more likely to develop. Intrinsic motivation and inspiration are more likely to grow. Then everything else becomes much easier.