The secondary school that I was in practiced a rather elitist approach in which students who were identified as potential top scholars or leaders were given special attention, and more opportunities were available for them to develop their portfolio than for an average student. One of the bizarre things that the school once did was to transfer several top teachers to the same class so as to improve a student's result and instate him as the president of the student council.
Being one of the average students, I was not really bothered by the system, as I did believe that some of the students were obviously better than the others and it was natural that the school would present opportunities to those who were deserving of them. After all, every student did enter the school on level terms and the better students must have had done exceptionally well to gain an elitist status. However, I did, and still do, believe that this system will unintentionally hurt the confidence and self-belief an average student has.
I have to admit though that I turned out to be a very lucky boy as I did get some opportunities to develop my portfolio in this system. Through a rather accidental event, a teacher was very impressed by something that I did to help a team in a project competition to which I was not even participating in. Ever since then, he took care to look out for me during my remaining years in the school. Although I still remained as a rather bad student (academically), he continued to believe in me, guiding and motivating me whenever possible. He even presented me with internship opportunities and wrote recommendation letters for me after my graduation.
As I was a rather carefree student who could not care less about my academics, I was not hungry and seeking for those opportunities. However, I was and still is very grateful for his belief in me and because of that, I was very motivated to do better for my studies so as to not disappoint him. He also made me believe that not all teachers make judgments based on academic results and these teachers do want the best for every student as long as the student is willing to help him or herself. Thank you, my teacher.
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a. What do you think about the event described?
ReplyDeleteTeachers play an important role in a student's education journey. As described by Chuye, his teacher is one who affected and influenced him in a positive manner. Despite sporting a laid-back attitude in his academics, his teacher continues to motivate and guide him in many possible areas. He even extends his duties as a teacher and helped in looking out for internship opportunities for Chuye.
This quality of 'going the extra mile' for his student, is something admirable and yet, not displayed by many. I do believe that a teacher should not only educate and help in academic studies, but also teach and impart practical life and interpersonal skills to his/her students.
Nevertheless, it is very nice of Chuye to remember these little acts of his previous teacher. And to journal him as an influential person in his life, it goes to show his gratitude and thanks to his teacher.
b. Does this post strike you as having been written “with heart” or not? How can you justify your answer. Explain in your feedback.
In my opinion, a post that's written "with heart" refers to something genuine that comes from within. In this post, Chuye painted a picture of his school's practices and gradually to his reaction to it. Then on, he brought into the picture how his teacher admires him for something that he did and elaborated on the extend this teacher went to support and motivate him in his studies. At the end if the post, Chuye mentioned "Thank you, my teacher". To me, this was the most heartfelt statement as it genuinely shows his appreciation to the things that his teacher has done for him.
Hi Chuye,
ReplyDeleteAs a very mediocre student myself in secondary school, i can totally empathise with your situation back then. I think it is admirable that you would help out a project that you were not even part of to begin with. I also think that you have a fantastic teacher who saw potential in you and wanted to help you.
This is definitely a heartfelt post considering the fact that you remember everything that happened in great details. I like how even after all this years, you remember your teacher and are still grateful for what he has done for you.
Joycelyn
Thanks for sharing this experience, Chuye. I just wonder what your main takeaway from this would be. :)
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