Today as I flip through my diary, I came across some notes which I have taken down during the course of my teaching.
Realizing the names of kids I had written down for one or more academic challenges, ranging from inability to read, solve mathematics, think logically or even being able to answer questions correctly.
I ponder about each child, one after the other, who seemingly has one of these challenges. Then I realized I have been totally wrong in judging them by their academic performances.
One particular child, although not able to read or even understand and speak English. He is such a good athlete in track and field events. His heart jump for joy when it is time for field events. No one can beat him in this respect.
Another child, could even speak English, speaks better than most of his classmates, but struggles to read or answer written questions correctly. This particular child is our baseball star!
He is actually very slow in writing from the board. It could take him the whole day to copy down what would take his mates an average of 10 minutes. So most often, at the absent of my watchful eyes, he would seized the opportunity to jump out to play baseball.
At first I was furious at his antics, and would go to the field in search of him. Later I relaxed and spoke to him calmly.
“Hurry up” I would say, finish up what you have to write so you can go play baseball. As I write this now, although he still struggles with academic performance, he ensures he make haste to finish copying what is on the board before jumping out to play.
I cannot but mention another amazing girl in my class. She is so gifted with acting skills. Yes, she had told me one time that she would love to be an actress. I can’t but just admire her passion for that career even as young as she is. Whenever I announce we are having varieties, she would put up a wonderful performance.
Kids are gifted in many different ways that we adult do not realized. We many times want to program them the way we were programmed. Teaching a child the way you were thought is heading for failure. We now live in a world where academic performance does not guarantee success in life. Laying emphasis on just academic outcome is not a complete education. Education should also be an avenue for kids to develop their passion in various aspects of life. We focus too much on grades that we tend to forget than grades have not really done much for anyone in the 21st century. Dexterity and skills development should not be pushed aside as we prepare these kids for the challenges of the 21st century.
Never compare a child with another. They are different and unique in their ways. Not even adults should be compared!
The world now is interested in what you have to offer and not the grades you carry about.