Comment from w.j.debi

Excellent

Everyone needs someone to believe in them so they can believe in themselves. Luckily for Mauricio, there was you. Hey, Einstein was dismissed as an idiot in lower grades. Look how he turned out.

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. You make a great point about Einstein. I'd forgotten that, and it proves that even students who aren't great in school can still make something of themselves. You never know what each child in your classroom is capable of until they show you, but they need the opportunity to exhibit their skills. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

Comment from Paul Manton

Excellent

Now,you, mam, I love! You are exactly the teacher we head-hunted regularly for our academy in north London, containing the best and biggest autistic center in the Borough of Barnet. 800 kids - 100+ staff of all kinds, 53 first languages and an outstanding record. It was my last school - they head-hunted me to be the specialist one-to-one teacher/tutor for English and Math. I left when I was 73.

I taught for 54 years altogether - there were quite a few Mauricios - one of them a severely affected Asperger's boy who related to me and no other teacher for four years. He used to throw chairs at people he didn't like! I'm sure that your Coach would have been his first target.

Seems that not only the UK has jerks for senior coordinators! These dinosaurs are rare now - you won't find them on our turf - instead all learning is child-centered - and you are right: you don't get to know someone unless you have one-to-one time with them.

So I found your piece very refreshing - know that here in the UK - and without a doubt on this site, you have many friends!
Good luck in the competition.
Paul

 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Paul. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much.

Wow! 54 years. I've got a long way to go before I can reach that point. I've taught nine years in the classroom but fourteen/fifteen years in the field of education with all my tutoring years. Although it took time for me to learn to love this profession, I wouldn't change my journey as it showed me the importance of connecting with my students. Even as a person who has learning disabilities, I'm always trying to put myself in my students' shoes and imagine the best paths to help them succeed. When I get sick, I still see their little faces and feel somewhat bad that I've needed to take off one or more days to recover. They were always so excited when I returned--even on Wednesdays when I'd leave for one hour to meet with my third-grade colleagues to prep and plan; as soon as I opened my door, I heard several voices shouting my name. I love where I am, and I plan to teach till it's my time to retire.

That's awesome that you taught until you were 73. Did anything specific lead to your love of teaching?

Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

reply by Paul Manton on 22-Jul-2023

Thanks for your lovely reply. I've had lots of review votes recently, which makes it all worthwhile, but answers like this are even more rewarding. So , let me answer in return: When I was at Primary School (age 7-11) I had at least two inspiring teachers - far more so than at Grammar (High) school. I remember at the age of 13, I wanted to be a writer, and at 15 I won the School English Prize - that was a big deal on 'Prize Giving Day'. But, absurdly, I couldn't take a degree in English without having passed Latin, and the Latin teacher terrified me!
So, University was out (I made up for that later) and the only option was to train as a teacher. I remembered back to Primary School and thought that was an option I would like. My whole education career is outlined at length in 'The Magician'.
Keep going with your career, AM, because the world needs more like you.
God bless, Paul

reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Wow, it sounds like an impressive journey into teaching. I took Latin for several years in my upper elementary and Jr High (back when it was 7th-8th grade), and while I still remember some, I mainly use it to tease my students and teach them how different languages feed into English.
I will check out "The Magician" later. I am looking forward to it.
Thank you. I will keep up this career; one day, I hope to become a published author too, but in the meantime, I will continue to enjoy my students.
God bless, Amber.

reply by Paul Manton on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you, Amber.
Enjoy every minute of it
Paul

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Good on you! That's a rare trait in teachers, giving up on a student isn't really an option, and the greatest achievement for a teacher is to never sight of, is the unconditional love for a child, and honours the parents of that child, and the child themselves, and fulfils the charter of a teacher, well done, good luck, a deserving winner, blessings Roy

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 Comment Written 21-Jul-2023

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2023

Thank you for reading and reviewing, Roy. I'm thrilled you enjoyed the story so much. Thank you for saying that. I'm honored and pleased I can be this type of teacher for my students. I wouldn't trade my career for the world. Thank you again for reading and reviewing. I appreciate your comments. Take care. :D :D

reply by royowen on 22-Jul-2023

Well done