Our Stories
Reflection of a high school teacher
By Jami Mickelson | posted 11/26/2008
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel and watch over you." (Psalms 32:8)
One of my favorite memories of teaching this year is from a student who is re-taking my math class and is in my math support class (a class for students who try hard, but really struggle and feel like failures). On the first day of school during math support we gave the students time to work on their homework and only my class actually had homework. I turned to this kid and said, "Yes, I am mean". And he responded with "No Ms. Mickelson you're just aggressive about our learning." This has made me laugh repeatedly during the last few months, but it has also represented that this student now trusted how I taught and believed he could learn from what I was doing.
This is rare from adolescents. My job early on is to earn their trust, but even then they often question why I am "making them do something" or that their method is definitely better than mine. They are convinced that what they already know is the right way to do things. When I was a young teacher this would often frustrate me but I have learned over the years that they do this because they can't see the big picture. Even now sometimes I get frustrated. I know where they will struggle and I know what they have to see in wording they need to see. I also know the best ways to study and get help, but from a student's perspective they only see what is happening right now and the pieces don't fit together. When a student does believe that what I am doing will help them be successful they have a much easier time than fighting every step of the way.
How true a reminder this is for me almost everyday. When a student is questioning me I often smile thinking of how similar this must be for God. I often want to know what He is doing and how His plan will play out. It is hard for me to trust that the pieces will come together because all I can see is what is happening right now. And if I am frustrated it makes it even harder to trust through the emotions. After a day of listening, encouraging and working through these things with struggling students I thank the mighty Teacher that He does know the big picture and is guiding me step by step perfectly and with the ultimate patience.
To respond to this message, email Jami at littlenell@care2.com.
