Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h82LIa706788; Tue, 2 Sep 2003 17:18:36 -0400 (EDT) Date: Tue, 2 Sep 2003 17:18:36 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <002501c37198$df07bda0$9404fea9@GatewayClient> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "pruett said" <said@ameritech.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:9372] RE: stereotypes of immigrants X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2600.0000 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 1825 Lines: 31 Well, as I read Joe's and my description of our situations I realized we were both guilty of stereotyping because that was our own experience. Obviously,immigrants come in all types of motivation, needs, personalities, abilities, etc. But one of the things that struck me about Joe's story was what I recognize after 20 years of teaching as teaching burn-out. People go into to teaching to make a difference but become despondent when they don't see that difference. Usually the difference is there just not at the level we hoped for. Feeling good about teaching is a one day up, one day down sort of thing. But I think it isn't a good idea to equate teaching with being a friend. It's bad for the teacher because you will break your neck and do way too much. It's bad for the student because the student needs a teacher, not a friend. I've taught for 20 years students from over 50 different countries, and while I have liked and enjoyed many of my students, I don't see my relationship as one of being constantly available for them. They have their lives, and I have mine. That's not to say that in some situations you might not become friends with your students, it's just to say that shouldn't be your primary motivation. One of the difficult things about teaching is understanding where to draw the line between your school life and your personal life. But I think the line has to be drawn. If it isn't drawn, then teachers get burned out, and students often don't get the kind of professional teaching they are expecting and needing. I know in the movies that the "good" teacher is there 24/7 but that's the movies--the rest of us have families, children, friends, and other interests that round out our lives. And I believe most students want a teacher, not a friend, too. Theresa Pruett-Said ESL teacher Michigan
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