There are things that young teachers learn the easy way and some are learned the hard way. The difference is often dependent upon if the teacher listens to the parent, students, or colleagues. One of the hallmarks of a new teacher is the confidence that come from teacher training and a controlled student teacher setting. Teaching is a profession that expects the same results from a first year teacher as they do from a 30 year veteran. Even with quality induction programs, rookie teachers are often stressed and find listening is rushed and incomplete. I was surprised at how stressful these first couple of years was for me. I did spend that first couple of years listening in meetings and getting the lay of the land. If there was anything I brought from industry was how to navigate larger groups in a work setting. I have witnessed people lose their career while in social settings with superiors. Even though I am a long winded talker, I do know that there are times to listen.
I had an incident in my first year of teaching that highlights the value of listening. I am very good at minimizing religion into school settings when pressed by others. I have never had to deal with problems around student, staff, or my religious beliefs in classroom. I did have a learning experience that was an eye opener for me. I am taking no stand but I do want to honor people’s beliefs. I can honor them and still not make it a big deal. I knew of Jehovah’s Witnesses but was unaware of their beliefs. One tenet of their their beliefs is to not celebrate holidays. Since I was teaching elementary there are often times when we did things around holidays. Obviously, I didn’t do anything with religious holidays but we did do things around other holidays. Because of the year round schedule I avoided most holidays but we were approaching Mother’s Day and I found a really cool activity to make snow globes using glitter and baby food jars. I put that we were going to do something special in my weekly newsletter. Daniel’s mother met me the next morning before class. She was very nice and explained the situation. I told her that I would think about it and let her know at the end of the day. The value of listening was paramount to turning a possible conflict into a great connection to the parent. When she returned in the afternoon I asked if Daniel could do the same activity as an art project and when it was time to do the card, Daniel drew a picture of his whole family as his part of the art project.
I was able to accommodate Daniel and his mom was grateful because she had had multiple battles with teachers of his older brothers. It is never my job to judge or comment on a family’s belief but it is my job to make every student feel welcome and that they belong. Over the years I am sure that I have slighted some students but I made a conscious effort to accommodate all students. It brings me to a point I just heard that clarified it and made it crystal clear. “We judge ourselves based on intent but we judge others on the impact.” I think that one point of clarity put meaning to what I have always striven for. If I could share anything to a young teacher, it would be this and that we have be aware of our impact.