Because of Sam I broke a university rule, something I feel half guilty of. I will do it again—off campus, if necessary.
Sam had been having difficulty in my subject. She always had furrowed brows when I lectured. She stuttered when she was called upon to discuss an issue.
Reading her first exam paper one day, I was appalled that she had no understanding of the topic we had discussed and debated ad infinitum in class.
I talked to her in private after class. "Sam, tell me how I could be a better teacher to you."
"Miss, it isn't you. It's me. I am not very good in English."
"You mean, you are not very good writing in English?" I said, holding up her test paper.
"I mean, I am not very good in understanding spoken English, especially when there are strange terms. The high school where I graduated from spoke mostly Chinese and Filipino."
I quickly looked around. Students were busy doing their thing, unmindful of the two of us.
As a gut reaction, I decided to break the speak-only-English-in-campus rule! With best effort, in my less-than-perfect Filipino (I am an Ilocana), I explained the topic in question.
Her furrowed brows went back to normal and her lips broke into a big smile. Then, after thirty minutes of my Filipino soliloquy, she echoed back to me exactly what I said—in better Filipino! And with examples of her own to illustrate every point.
She was not as dense as I perceived her to be. She was smart, very smart, in fact.
"Now that I clearly understand everything," she said, "I will re-do my exam, if you will allow me."
I allowed her.
What I read later made me proud; proud of Sam, proud of being given a second chance as a teacher.
It made me think of how grace seeps into our lives through every person sent our path. It made me marvel at how we are moved to see things more clearly than we ever did before.
8 comments:
You've been sensitive to her, so that broke the barrier. We'll never know the gifts hidden in our students unless we really take the time to know what, why and how. Great job, Grace. I hope all of us teachers will be as perceptive.
Hello Ms. Grace! My name is Sheryl. Like you, I am also a teacher. Your post inspires me to become a better teacher to my students. I admit that teaching is a very difficult task because you have multiple roles to play - a teacher, guidance counselor, psychologist, friend, mother, etc. Nevertheless, I am proud being a teacher. School is my niche. Thank you, Ms. Grace ♥♥♥
I wish I could do that for our other students, too. But I don't speak Korean nor Japanese. Sigh.
Ms. Grace,
You and Ms Yay are best professor/teacher/mentor I've ever met. Both of you brings out the best of your students.
I was, and will always be, inspired by you(both of you).
Thanks for the inspiration. Your words still inspires me.
- Fred
Fred, thanks for the very kind words. I will take them to my grave.
You deserved it! You are truly one of the best.
I hope I could visit you soon in school. :D
Yes, visit soon. We're excited to know what's up with you.
SB Satorre has left a comment on your post "My Student Sam":
Hello Ms. Grace! My name is Sheryl. Like you, I am also a teacher. Your post inspires me to become a better teacher to my students. I admit that teaching is a very difficult task because you have multiple roles to play - a teacher, guidance counselor, psychologist, friend, mother, etc. Nevertheless, I am proud being a teacher. School is my niche. Thank you, Ms. Grace ♥♥♥
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