I’m just watching a late movie on TV – Finding Forrester.
I was struck by something Sean Connery’s character just said:
A bittery disappointed teacher can be either very effective, or very dangerous.
He was referring to a teacher who wrote a novel, which was rejected, and then instead turned to teaching english.
It reminds me of that saying
Those who can, do.
Those who cannot, teach.
I don’t like that saying. It infers that those of us who decide on teaching as a profession couldn’t make it in the ‘real world’. We failed at having a proper job, and so decided to teach in that subject area instead.
This is unfair. I never wanted to work in a laboratory for the rest of my working life. I wanted to actually do something worthwhile with my life. So, I chose to be a teacher.
I had an interview last week for my teaching practice placement, and one of the first questions the principal asked me was why I wanted to be a teacher. Yes, the obvious answer of “June, July and August” sprang to mind, but that isn’t really the whole story.
I had a few good teachers in school, and have had the opportunity to see a few others in action, as well as to see the effect a good teacher has on the students. Especially those who lack motivation, or are otherwise disengaged.
I want to be one of those teachers. I want to have a positive influence on the kids I teach.
And, when I graduate, that’s what I plan on doing.