Today, I am staying Ibu Tisa's classroom and observing and grabbing so many experiences from the classroom actions. Today I am becoming more convinced that there are still many things to be learned as a prospective teacher and among them: making fluid decision every second or even every milliseconds as the teaching-learning going on. The more I observe, the more I realize that as a teacher, the values that he/she holds and believes, the motivations and the attitude in teaching -- the heart of the teacher--so to speak are clearly revealed to the students from the very way of his/her speaking, thinking, questioning and listening because a teacher has to make hundreds (or even more than that) decisions either what to say or what to think or what to do in a very short period of time and in those decisions a part of his/her heart is revealed.
That might be a compelling heart, a compromising heart or a caring heart. And reflecting on this, at least two things come up in my mind, first that a heart can be transformed and changed. I am realizing that so many times, I keep attracted in my own interest or wants and somehow forget the student's hearts and needs. Thus it's very important for me personally to be watchful into myself so that my heart always abide in Him and in His mercy to decide and do responsibly as what I see Him doing in me. Only He Who has alloweth many things to happen in our life can renew our hearts and we need always lift up our hearts unceasingly to Him and say, "Lord, have mercy!" and have always repentance before Him Who is Merciful. The second thing is, as a teacher inevitably my (and our) heart will influence the students hearts to move apart or move toward that values. Thus it's very clear that in the deepest sense, a teacher indirectly teaches 'who he/she is' and thus, who is his/her Master.
Ameyn, Yudhie, all these thoughts and observations are right on. You are being formed by the Lord into a teacher after His own heart.
ReplyDeleteThis evening I tutored my Greek student, so even I have a practicum to accomplish. I am teaching a Christian woman (with her husband's permission) the evangelical Greek language of the New Testament. She is progressing very well. Besides reading the Gospel of John, I stop frequently and explain things from the Orthodox faith, and she really enjoys this. So many of our non-Orthodox brethren really are Orthodox in spirit: they only don't understand the value of the Orthodox Church yet, but if we are open to them and love and welcome them as Christ loves and welcomes us always, they too will come to know the fullness of our holy faith. You can depend on it.
Just keep doing what you see Jesus doing. He is alive and in our midst. I thank God for you every day, brother, and this is not just something I like to say over and over again. I really do thank Him for you. God has been good to me in letting me know you.
Great to know your 'practicum' story too, Romanos. And for every word you gave to me I say: Emet and thanks, because they’re so true and worthy! I also glorify God for letting me to be known to you. Glory to God!
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