This week’s forum had me thinking hard about previous teachers I have had
throughout my life. Initially I was thinking my second-grade teacher in
Catholic school was the worst teacher I ever had because I didn’t know if I
was comfortable sharing a very personal story. The questions posed this
week ended up being turned into something very personal for me. It is not
something I like to talk about or even remember because it was a very
difficult time in my life. When I was in fourth grade (1987) my parents
decided it was best for them to divorce. At the age of seven I took this
extremely hard, and it really messed me up emotionally. My fourth-grade
teacher, Ms. Perrin, was horrible! She did not understand or care to
understand what was going on with me and how it was affecting my
education. My grades were less than good, I found it impossible to sit in
class, I was constantly emotional, and I had attempted to flee from school
many times. My parents ended up sending me to therapy in a residential
facility in another state.
After many months I returned to class, and it was quite awkward and still
my teacher was less than caring or even compassionate regarding the
issues I was dealing with. Based off Bernstein et al (2019) and their “Seven
Principles of Effective Teaching” I would say her behavior or lack thereof
relates to #1, “Encourage Student–Faculty Contact. Frequent and fruitful
contact between students and faculty inside and outside the classroom is
important for establishing and maintaining rapport and enhancing students’
motivation and involvement in the learning process. When students know that
their teacher cares about their progress, they are more likely to persist at
learning tasks, even when the tasks are difficult. Further, the experience of
getting to know at least a few teachers as individuals can enhance students’
intellectual and emotional commitment to learning and may increase the
likelihood that they will stay in school.”
Fast forward to the following year when I was in fifth grade, and I ended
up getting the most amazing teacher. Mrs. Katers was absolutely wonderful
and caring; she took time to meet at my dad’s house with me and discuss
what I was going through and how she could help me so I could achieve
my educational goals. Her behavior most definitely relates to Bernstein et all
(2019) principle #1, just the opposite of how Ms. Perrin related to the same
principle. All Ms. Perrin needed to do was understand that there were issues
going on in my life that I could not understand nor control, and it was
affecting every aspect of my life including my school life. She was honestly
not a nice teacher; I mean her personality was cold. Perhaps teaching was
not the best career for her to get into.
Regardless it is always important for us to do our best work possible. God
is always watching over us, His children, and how we treat others. A little
empathy from a teacher can go a long way, especially for a seven-year-old
who is depressed, emotional, and does not understand why her family is
breaking apart. This reminds of Colossians 3:23-24 “Whatever you do, work
heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you
will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
References
Bernstein, D.A., Frantz, S., & Chew, S. (2019). Teaching Psychology: A Step-by-
Step Guide
d d d d d d d d (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi-
org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/10.4324/9780429031823 Links to an external site.
ESV Study Bible. (2008). Crossway Books.
