Image - Pixabay
It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.
Albert Einstein
I meant this to be just a nice quote which would have some benefit to a Steemian out there but as I wrote it memories flooded my mind.
When looking back on my school career I must sadly say that 90% of my teachers at the time were only interested in getting our heads filled with dates and facts.
As a young child in primary school, we were given spelling tests, at the end of the test we had to line up to receive "cuts" from our teacher, one for every spelling mistake, this was applied to our hands as you can imagine, after receiving 3 cuts on each hand our palms would swell and we would be unable to concentrate or write. This was my education in the 1950's.
Image - Pixabay
Our teacher carried with her what she termed her magic cane which she applied liberally for any sort of misdemeanor, even after 60 years I still carry the images of children hopping around as they got whacked on the hands. In high school our social studies teacher would punch us in the chest. He would walk past our desks and fire off a question, if you were not fast enough in replying or gave the wrong answer you would receive a punch in the chest, which in many cases knocked you over the back of the chair. I still harbour a feeling that they were sadists and enjoyed the power that that their role gave them.
We had good, intelligent teachers as well, who enjoyed being with us and made learning a pleasure but unfortunately when I think back I have the clearest memories of punchers and caners.
Somehow we managed in spite of the treatment we received, we managed to get and education and make our way in life. I somehow think that the "Spare the rod and spoil the child" saying was too literally applied.
So for all you teachers out there in this more enlightened time, I know that you have a difficult task and I wish that we had had you as teachers back then, for I believe that many good minds were lost in the old process.
Image - Pixabay
