“The teacher who is indeed wise does not bid you to enter the house of his wisdom but rather leads you to the threshold of your mind.” – Khalil Gibran
Thanks, Spidey.
This.
This is what I feel teaching is all about!
As a teacher of the youngest in the school chain, the Nursery and Reception classes, I have always said, and continue to utter, my job is to create a love of learning.
It’s not called the Foundation Stage for nothing.
We are building the foundation for the rest of their school careers.
We, as educators of the first-timers, have a responsibility to instil the importance of education and school within these little mites, make their learning interactive and fun, so they go on to have successful school lives, where they feel prepared for all the curriculum is going to throw at them.
We should make them realise they have all the capabilities within – they just need to work out how to tap them.
They need to realise that there isn’t just one way to do something, but there are myriad ways to solve problems.
We need to grasp their thoughts and help them go with the flow, sometimes losing all track of the planned lesson, when someone poses a question that can ignite further exploration and learning.
We need to teach them how to learn.
I haven’t forgotten.
Miss Wilson.
She was my nursery teacher and the most wonderful teacher ever, making my first days in school, a three year old with English as a second language, such a joy.
So much of a pleasure that I went back to her as an sixteen year old, and volunteered in her class, where she was, by then, known as Mrs Haynes.
I felt so happy, and secure there, it impacted upon my whole school life, and going forward, because of her, and some other amazing teachers, I realised that this was what I wanted to do.
And I hope that I am one of those teachers, remembered for her impact upon children’s lives, but something that irks me, when you ask someone about their teachers, the comments are always about secondary teachers, or late primary ones. Does everyone forget those that shaped their educational futures?
Tell me, do you still remember your Nursery/kindergarten/preschool teachers? 😘
Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps ❤ And enjoy your week!
Sep 16, 2018 @ 20:37:15
I remember so many of my first teachers. They must have been great to remember back to 1965! We teachers/educators probably inspire more than we realize. This would have fit in perfectly with my Sunday Stills theme “back to school” this week 🙂
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 21:21:44
I’m glad you have so many inspirational beings to think back to Terri!!!
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 17:49:53
You are an amazing teacher with the right attitude. We didn’t have preschool/kindergarten but my grade three teacher was amazing and changed my life.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 20:25:27
I’m so glad you had someone who affected you in a positive way 😁
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 17:36:43
After watching Won’t you be my neighbor, the story of Fred Rogers, just last night, I especially appreciate this post. Teachers are so very important in the lives of our children.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 20:24:55
Thank you Rhonda for appreciating and recognising 😍
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Sep 17, 2018 @ 00:11:15
You are most welcome. The importance of teachers cannot be overstated, especially in this current social/political climate. And don’t we all need to be appreciated?
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Sep 17, 2018 @ 06:39:52
It certainly helps!!!
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 17:14:57
I remember some of the teachers in my early grade years that left a lasting impression. The kind of cultivators that do make a difference. Wonderful post Sister! 💜
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 17:27:11
Thank you Brother 💜💜
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 18:48:31
You’re welcome Sister always 💜💜
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 16:31:31
What a wonderful quote, and much more greater thoughts of you, Ritu!
Oh yes, i remember the time in kindergarten. It was more Correctioni Camp as pre-school. Pre-schooling since today is not what the here acting Roman-Catholic Church want to give children till today. We hat two catholic nuns. They had done the survaillance over our games with wooden toys. I think the meaning was and is: We are Germans, we got and get it from God. There was and is no need for pre-schooling. 🙂 Best wishes, Michael.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 17:26:51
Well that’s a different memory Michael!!!
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 18:44:08
It really is! But you, and also what i read at Jennie Fitzkee’s blog is great. Here its till today the same. ;-( OK, other countries, other culture. Therefore i think some of our citizens fear asylum seekers too. Have a nice Sunday evening. Michael
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 20:26:05
Thank you. Jennie’s blog is truly inspirational
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 20:32:09
Same as your is. 😉
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 21:21:57
Thank you 😍
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 18:46:43
They think – better they know – nobody on this world spends so less money for teaching as Germany did over the last 20 years.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 20:26:14
😁
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 14:41:09
It’s wonderful to hear such positivity around teaching–especially from one who may still have to deal with the occasional pants-wetter, crier, etc. Foundational indeed! I have a poor memory, so I can’t recall past second grade, but I remember that teacher because she was kind and normal (not a nun) and a mom–and gave me an idea of what I’d like to be when I grew up. Mostly I remember that she smiled! I’m certain your students think the same about you! Keep up the great work!
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 16:57:30
Thank you so much Rebecca! Definitely still got nappies, pant wetters and criers still but it’s amazing to be part of the team that coaxed them out of the habit 😁
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 14:06:25
I can remember many teachers from Infants > Junior > Grammar schools, and all but one are remembered for their discipline and idiosyncrasies. The one fondly remembered was a Mr. Tacey at Junior School. I had a speech issue (stammer) and he would talk to me like he would anybody else .. except with more patience! Other teachers would tell me to hurry up, or spit it out,or some such comments to get me to finish what I was saying. I went through a phase of collecting autographs (both my parents were in the theatre business), and the first autograph in my new autograph book was that of Mr. Tacey. I still have it! 🙂
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 14:11:02
What a wonderful memory! 😍
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 14:29:44
🙂
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 13:19:03
I love what you wrote here. A good teacher is not someone who holds a lot of wisdom but who knows how to open doors in others to activate their interest in gaining wisdom. and knowledge. I think I remember those teachers best who were able to do this. In the end, they taught me more about life because of their dedicating personality.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 13:28:37
I hope that is what I am doing sis 💜
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 19:13:25
That you make all efforts to get there is already the necessary pre-condition. I have no doubt that this will work out.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 20:26:31
Thanks for your faith sis 💜
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Sep 17, 2018 @ 19:08:21
Of course, sister!!
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 09:34:15
Yes Sis I do remember sister Josephine, she looked after our first year, infact my first and second year. My Mum was ill when I was three and the Nuns allowed me to do kindergarten twice. I really did love her and I will never forget her. Though the habit she wore too some getting used to as a 3yr old. They will remember you sis 💜 you are special 💜💜
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 10:03:05
Thank you sis 💜💜 I’m so happy you have Sister Josephine to look back upon xxx
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 10:14:22
Tre were not many who I look back on with affection in my school days. Looking back apart from sister Josephine there was sister Mary Joseph, Miss Jones one of the few lay teachers, and the kitchen sister’s who were only referred to as sister. Those who terrified me were lesion. ,💜💜
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 10:29:31
😍
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 09:10:32
I have to admit, school wasn’t the happiest of times for me. Much later, in my early 30’s I was diagnosed as dyslexic, but as I learn more about ASD with my son, I think that might be closer. Both were unheard of in NI in the ‘70’s, so school was mostly me trying to prove I wasn’t as stupid as everyone thought, but with no evidence to back that up.
However. 2 teachers believed in me, Mrs McCarlie in P6 and Suzanne McDermott, my Biology teacher and they made ALL the difference to my self belief.
So the importance of a good teacher is paramount. My boys are having an entirely different experience (thankfully) and I would say the children in your class struck gold too xxx
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 10:01:39
Thank you so much Sonia. 😍
It’s a different world educationally now.. and even specialists are thinking the add and She or autism labels are being bandied about more than they should. It’s a shame because those that genuinely have a problem get sidelined my others where parents use them as an excuse for terrible behaviours and insist upon drs checking their child when sometimes it’s just a matter of better upbringing…
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 10:10:36
True. Bobby is exceptionally lucky, he has the educational support of the school, and social support of his class. I wouldn’t change him, except to perhaps give him a window into how liked he is by his peers. He’s totally oblivious.
I have seen some very challenging behaviour from both kids with and without ASD, and so far I’ve been very lucky not having had to deal with much – or that the communication between he and I is good enough to circumvent many problems that others face.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 10:28:54
I’m glad you and Bobby have a better experience than some 😍
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 05:49:12
I had a teacher like this too. Her name was Mrs Bowley. She told my mother that I had a mind like an onion with lots of layers. I have always remembered that.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 08:26:28
Something you hold on to for life 😍
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 05:25:18
I am certain you’re that teacher for many students, Ritu. I get the sense you really do see the whole child, and I’m delighted you’re teaching. The impact engaged, caring teachers have is immeasurable, and it’s such a pleasure to think about the ones who really connected with us in our formative years.
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Sep 16, 2018 @ 08:26:05
Thank you Joey, I do hope so 😍
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