My opinion on teaching continued....

While on Prac i had a chance meeting with an amazing, strong, confident māori women. As i sat and observed her interaction with the students, i realised i could be more than just a teacher that implemented the curriculum! In a space of 10mins this women inspired me hugely. She asked me "Why do you want to be a teacher?" To which i replied "Because my mum is a teacher". She then asked me the question again. It was at this moment i started to think about the true answer to this question. "WHY DO I WANT TO BE A TEACHER?" I have heard so many horror stories! (Late nights, no social life, no time for anything really!) My whole life my mother has been dedicated to teaching, which meant she always had her nose stuck in the books or writing reports and so on. Did i really want this for myself?
As i sat and contemplated my answer, i thought about my own experiences at school. I remember the teachers being grumpy old farts that didn't even notice if i was there or not. The lessons were boring and the subjects irrelevant. I felt like i was just a number. And i couldn't wait to turn 15 so i could leave! Most of my peers dropped out or didn't pass school c.
I didn't see Whaea Pat again. I hope i get the chance to tell her, im going to be a teacher so i can change the thinking of our māori people. Help them realise they are not just a number! I know this can be done by following the beliefs and values i was bought up with because i see the implementation of these in my own children and how it helps them.
Respect for ones self and those around you, Manaakitanga helping each other and offering support, Whanaungatanga is a sense of belonging by getting to know each other, Aroha caring for one another. Whakapapa is important too. We need to know where we came from to move forward with confidence and pride.
If all these values were implemented in the classroom environment i believe students would be able to see the relevance of learning and how they can apply it.
MAURI ORA......