Teachers who define us. Part 1 #28days Day22

High school was a totally different experience to primary school. I loved primary school. I loved learning and I loved my teachers. Then I hit a thousand plus all girls high school. We were not allowed earrings at all, wearing jumpers was not permitted outside the school property unless we had a blazer over it, we had badges that needed to be worn always (including a school crest and name badge in the colour of your house) and detentions were always looming. Detention not only included picking up litter after school, scraping gum from underneath desks, sanding desks and and cleaning toilets (to mention a few), it also involved having your name called out in assembly (parade), walking onto the stage and standing in a line with fellow 'detainees' while the whole school looked on.

I found high school intimidating. Teachers made me nervous and I had very little desire to put much effort in. Having a positive encounter was not often and none of my teachers really took the time to get to know me. I felt as if I was on a conveyor belt, knowledge was pounded into me and if I didn't understand I was simply left behind. The only teachers who seemed to be vaguely interested in me as as person, allowed me to explore ideas and opinions were my English teachers. I had amazing English teachers all through high school. I was still lazy, but I felt that doors opened beyond school. I especially remember my grade 8 and grade 12 teachers, they were frank, honest and pushed me to see the world through my eyes, not theirs. I felt connected, we discussed current events from newspapers, we analysed poetry, seeing how many different ways it could be interpreted, we engaged with texts that they made us relate to our own lives and present issues. 

These teachers taught me that despite the constraints of a curriculum, passion and relevance are great tools in the classroom. They were the first teachers who actually shared who they were with us. I felt that I knew them a little more and felt inspired as a citizen of the world. I was still naive and innocent, but I felt that my world had been opened up and that I could contribute to the world as an adult. I felt that I could safely share an idea in class and it would be valid. I felt that I would not be mocked or laughed. 

I often wonder if I only enjoyed English because it was my own passion, or if it was because of the teachers. Perhaps it is a bit of both.

PS in case you were wondering I got a detention once and vowed it would be the last time. Some grade 8's (including myself) failed the prefects test - we had to memorise the names of all the prefects, if they were also house captains, had academic colours etc and know the school hymn and prayer by heart. A prefect could be a house captain or vice captain as well - and both had to be noted if that were the case. I was so nervous and certainly did not enjoy the consequences. I knew the hymn and school prayer but all those names were just too much.