We often grow up being told that we can do this or that, but if you don't see anybody that looks like you doing it, you don't believe you can do it. But I had great teachers, and I wanted to be a great teacher.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
I remember I used to come up to my teacher crying because I couldn't read. She would say: 'You can do this. You just don't want to do this.'
I believe that no one can teach you how to act, but schools do give you an environment to make mistakes, to learn techniques and to learn professionalism.
You can do and use the skills that you have. The schools need you. The teachers need you. Students and parents need you. They need your actual person: your physical personhood and your open minds and open ears and boundless compassion, sitting next to them, listening and nodding and asking questions for hours at a time.
There are many teachers who could ruin you. Before you know it you could be a pale copy of this teacher or that teacher. You have to evolve on your own.
I think that the only way to teach is by example, as children will more easily follow what they see you do than what you tell them to do.
To be a teacher you have to have a very giving, selfless personality. I don't think I'm that selfless and giving.
As a teacher you are more or less obliged to pay the same amount of attention to everything. That can wear you down.
If we can teach a teacher we can reach more people.
There are a couple of teachers I have had without whose influence I would not be as happy with who I am.
I'm embarrassed every time I look a teacher in the eye, because we ask them to do so much for so little.