Patience
My students have taught me patience over the years; not the everyday sort of patience required to keep the edge out of my voice on the third Thursday in March, when I say, “Tony, sit down!” (With inappropriate words clearly implicit in my voice!)
I have learned patience with development as a teacher. Sometimes a freshman comes into my German one class with good classroom manners and skills. This student will learn what I ask, and read the next chapter, just to stay ahead, and they memorize verb endings and grammar charts, because they believe me, when I tell them that this will make the class easier. I recognize these future German 4 students quickly.
What Ryan Brislin and other students have taught me is that more often students who are a little less mature at fourteen or fifteen may become the most accomplished learners.
Ryan made mostly B’s in German I and German 2, with an occasional C, and rarely an A.
He found drawing pictures of dinosaurs to be far more engaging than learning German verbs. Imagine that! He was in a fourth period; split lunch section during his second year. Most days, he made me laugh (and late for lunch) by walking out of my room, raising his knees above his chest and flapping his elbows erratically, while squawking and shrieking wildly. I had met his parents at parent/teacher conferences, and they seemed normal. Really normal.
As a junior, Ryan blossomed academically. He was creative, on task, correct, quick and funny, but the pterodactyl had flown away with his immaturity. His attitude was mature, and his work was excellent. When he was in German 4, Ryan was the student the other students in this exceptionally bright class asked if they needed help with a German project. He was also the consultant if students had English, math and science questions. Not only did he have solutions to problems, but his demeanor was never superior and demeaning, but helpful and engaging.
Ryan is now Dr. Brislin, and I would be very confident in trusting the life of a person I love to his care.
Be patient with learning and especially with learners. You and they will enjoy the process more, have far less stress for the teacher and the learner, and you will be delighted.
