Joys of Teaching III

Mr Fong has once reported on Twitter that he greatly enjoys teaching this new influx of students. Being Sweet, Tenacious, Understanding, Perfect, Interesting and Dedicated (Not S.T.U.P.I.D ah), they are a terrific bunch to teach! Well, don't you all want to go WOW........? (:

Kids are a wonderful bunch, and their innocence is well-loved. However, sometimes we, the unfortunate teachers, realize that they do have some flaws, that hinder learning and incite occasional spurts of irritation and anger in us. The hope behind today's lecture post is: Try to find out the reasons behind their actions!

Mr Fong is blessed with one student, who is a wonderful kid, except the occasionally-annoying fact that he cannot sit still and listen. Having to nag and chide the poor boy everytime felt like a chore to Mr Fong, and he wondered why the child always seemed to think of something else, and had an inferiority complex of not being able to pass any test.

However, he learnt why, in one recent lesson. The inferiority complex came about not through his own doing, but through constant proddings/teasings of his results. Being the older child, he was inevitably given less attention, spoilt less, and in his young eyes, 'cherished less'. As a result, he felt that he could not feel good about his own mathematical skills. By the way, this is one common barrier to doing well- the psychological aspect.

After much thought, Mr Fong has concluded that this has led to other talents. He has realized that the child has great empathy, for he understands, through experience, how being insulted feels. He treasures animals, and shows great love to those he cherishes.

Being inferior is actually inevitable, and during break one lesson, he snatched out a scrapbook and started to tenderly draw my beautiful features on an A4-sized paper. As I glanced up at him, I realized, with a jolt, how kindly and sweetly he was peering over at me, trying to draw a small portrait for me...

I smiled and continued marking, not wanting to disturb this wonderful scene of 'cute-ness' and sweetness. A tangerine, somehow crispily-sweet taste lingered in me as I realized how kids like him, no matter how distracted, were always the ones who would show gratitude, the ones who appreciated, and the ones who were truly sweet.

As I finished marking, I realized he was finishing, and decided (for once :D) to extend his break slightly until he finished this act, an act that was the epitome of such saccharine sweetness, I learnt instantaneously that every kid had some area that is definitely worth teaching.

He folded it meticulously and presented it to me, and as I took it, I saw," A NOTE FOR WINSTION FONG." As I carefully opened the 'envelope', I realized a speech bubble emanating from my picture:" Hi I am Winstion Fong, I am the Indian maths tutor of ****** (The-Student-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named)!!!"

I silently chuckled to myself, and slightly emotional over this touching gesture from my dear student, decided not to needle him for spelling my name wrongly. SO SWEET,hor :) (not me,my student! :P)