Teaching with Honey

"Don't smile until Christmas vacation!" New teachers often hear such a comment from administrators, colleagues, and even mentors. Why? Are we to present the image of a D.I.? Are we plugged in every morning before class and then powered down at 2:30? Can we not be happy doing our "jobs"?

"You cannot be a friend to your students." This often goes hand in hand with the preceding anonymous and generic quote. Must we then be the "enemy"? Or, must we be automatons who are programmed to deliver a curriculum in an all too often clinical manner?

If state licensing boards, school administrators, parents, and school committees expect teachers to teach effectively, why are we expected to make our jobs less palatable to the students who we legislate, mandate, and completely expect to learn? Why must we be the elite providers of necessary education and not be able to love what we do, enjoy showing up every day, and be friends to our students?

"You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar." It works folks. I preached and practiced that philosophy for over thirty years as a public school educator, and in high school no less, where all of those "troubled and difficult" adolescents strut their wares, push the envelope, and simply try every trick known to man to make it seem to anyone that they simply do not want to be in school, learn, or do anything that requires reading and studying. The actual percentage of students, even adolescents, who really feel this way is so infinitesimal as to be completely unworthy of conversation.

Trusting an adult is what adolescents resist most. Building that kind of trust is ultimately important if we adults really expect our teenagers to learn anything effectively. A real friend is one with whom we have an unqualified trust. The most effective method of educating adolescents is through befriending them and establishing a real trust. If teenagers question why they need to learn something, they will not learn it well. Fear and distrust does not create an "I want to learn atmosphere. When teachers build friendships and establish trust with their students, effective learning happens.

"You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar." It works folks. Teachers would benefit from the beginning to work toward being happy, being friends, and building trust with their students. There begins the task of educating, raising standards, competing more effectively in the world, and effecting real change.