Field Work Blog 5

I think the most important role a teacher plays is that of a good example. These children are around one individual 6 hours 5 days a week! They are bound to pick up on things. More than just learning the curriculum, these students are seeing how their teacher faces difficulties, is flexible with the changing of plans, and also they are picking up on how their teacher feels about them. A teacher's impact can not be quantified. It is endless in scope and infinite in possibilities. A teacher's belief in a child can change that child's life. Maybe that child will start believing in themselves, too. And they will follow the teacher's example and start believing in others as well. And from there it cascades into a beautiful positive impact on the world. And it all started with a  teacher's example. 

The most challenging role a teacher plays is that of diciplinator. (Is that a word? Spell check doesn't think so. But I think it fits what I'm trying to say, so there it will stay.) I think it would be extremely difficult to have to be the one to enforce the rules, and give negative consequences when students do not obey. Teachers are NOT the student's mothers, but the ones who behave badly probably aren't getting enough guidance and support at home, and so that direction has to come from the teacher. But as a teacher and not their mother, it's much more difficult to help the students learn essential social skills and help them behave than it would be otherwise. It places a huge burden on the teachers and it effects the learning of other students when students act out. It's an issue that doesn't have a particular one size fits all solution, and dealing with it on a case by case basis sounds extremely challenging. Mrs. Wilson has spoken to me multiple times about how difficult it can be to help a student learn to behave. She knows this student has no real support or guidance from home, and it's sad for her to try the best she can and see no improvement. It sounds discouraging, frustrating, and heartbreaking.I can't imagine a job much more difficult than that of a teacher's job to discipline the students.