RU
As a teacher, and a student of life, it is often expected to work though our own personal challenges as well as assist students through their own. Not only teaching them how to regulate their emotions and deal with adversity, but also by modelling what is expected.
This year has been a personal challenge, as I currently am facing a long term illness and trying not to let it interfere with my personal and professional life. Yet, inevitably, it sometimes bleeds into all areas and makes the boundaries a bit blurry. In an effort to be professional, and take this as an opportunity to show students that life does not have to stop when faced with challenges, I allow myself to show my family and colleagues when I am feeling weak or emotional, when normally I would not do so.
I try to be strong and cheerful, even when I don’t feel like it. Yet, honestly, I have been so surprised by the ability of my students to cheer me up. They have really surprised me by taking this news in their stride and showing more understanding and acceptance than I ever expected. I have also been warmed by the care and support of my peers as they have surrounded me with acceptance, encouragement and kindness.
It is obviously not only myself and teachers who are faced with personal challenges. Students are often faced with injuries or loss of loved ones and they are not equipped mentally or emotionally for this. That is where we, as teachers, come in. We support their learning, we give them the tools to deal with personal challenges and hopefully we can inspire them to assist others in the future. We are, after all, all human and we all need each other. By giving students the tools to understand and the courage to face their challenges, maybe even be a role-model for them, we strengthen our community and work towards a future together.
Currently in my class, there is a student in a cast, a result of an unfortunate accident at home. He has asked to come to school and continue learning, even though he is uncomfortable and physically restricted. I am honoured by his request and only happy to oblige by making him as comfortable as possible and including him as much as possible in every aspect of class life. The students in my class have shown concern and care beyond their years, which proves that school is not only a place of learning in language and maths, but also learning how to be a good human being.
The support for our students does not only stop with the child, it is extended to the family as well, as such an accident or event is a stressful situation for everybody involved. By encouraging parents to trust us with what they find most precious in the world, we can give them time to gather their own strength and courage and this is the most humbling experience.
I hope that my strength to continue through this dark time inspires at least one person to be able to see and understand that adversity can be overcome with determination and a loving community. The amount of love, support, kindness and acceptance I have received has certainly given me the inner strength to face everything that lies ahead and it has humbled me beyond words. Having a parent trust me with their fragile child during recovery, allowing me to reciprocate the care and kindness I have received lately, is wonderful. But the best part is seeing how the students have accepted adversity and embraced these changes and challenges by supporting each other.
Mrs Kulishova, EYFS Teacher
