I was late for Professor Tmass' class today. As I stepped into class he gave a slight glance and continued to listen to my colleague speaking. For some reason I was not guilty for being late. I was, last week when I was 10 minutes late. Prof Tmass gave me that you-are-late look which some how made me feel guilty. He has the innate ability to do so and I felt it is a great talent. But this time round I wanted to see if he would speak to me after class for being late again. Don't get me wrong I was not going late to class deliberately but for once I wanted to put myself in the shoes of a student I used to know.
You see I am currently reading this book called, "I am a pencil"by Sam Swope and it has got me thinking alot more (that explains why I was late as I missed the bus while I was reading today). I have always been the studious, talkative active and punctual student in my life. Feeling guilty was a product of being a good student. I was the student that till today most teachers remember and applaude but now as a teacher I am intrigued by students who are rather quiet and those whose work tell me alot about them. For instance, I had this student who was given an assignment and I remembered clearly the pictures he chose to share about his emotions. It was deep and very symbolic. I felt that he was a thinker whose thoughts were truely complex and intellectual. The only obsticle he had was expressing himself in words. Not that he could not, but did not know how. I was helping my CT and I would seat beside him and encourage him and try to see things from his perspective. It was only for a while but that student left me thinking
Throughout Prof Tmass' class I spent a great deal observing my prof instead of actually listening to what he has to teach. I think I learn alot more observing how he teaches in class rather than what he teaches. He sparks off ideas and thoughts in my mind and I figured that was what was happening in some of my students' head, its not what I give them but what they create from what I teach them. Well content is important but I favour the process of thinking. Sometime my prof does not realise it but I actually learn new things that he may not have intended to teach. For example, how to encourage students to think with non verbal actions, his smile and the way he humbles himself when we give him the right answers. Small actions but great impact.
I also learnt that keeping mouth shut has resulted in me writing alot more and reflecting more. A process that is integral in one's life. I like the way I think when I don't speak but everyone's worried thinking I have sunk into depression. My mother would think that I have sold my soul to the devil and am plotting to blow up the world. Nevertheless, I like the thinking process and most writers and brilliant actors spend alot of quiet time alone. I have done that many times in my life only to be almost send to IMH(Institute of Mental Health). But I suppose it is alright if the passion is shifted to writing. I hope to inspire and learn a lot more from students like that. It is just refreshing for my soul.
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